Is it possible to win the “crown” on your own, consulting by phone.
The illness came to my family at a time when polyclinics and hospitals were overwhelmed. First, my husband’s temperature rose, then his PCR test confirmed the diagnosis of coronavirus, three days later I showed all the symptoms of my husband. I got through to the clinic on the second day of continuous sitting on the phone, when my hands began to give up. But … the fear of an unknown disease forced to act and show patience.
Is it possible to defeat the coronavirus on your own, consulting by phone: personal experience
The doctor came and filled out some questionnaires for 40 minutes, then quickly listened to my husband, me, slipped a prescription sheet with known medicines and left. Left a referral for x-rays if it gets worse after 3 days. He didn’t really explain anything, but this is understandable, because today the burden on medical workers is colossal. And if doctors stay in every house for a long time (and he spent an hour on us, two patients), then not everyone will wait for help.
I was holding a leaflet with medications in my hands and thought about who to call. To be honest, I have been reading the forums every day for three months and I myself knew the latest recommendations of doctors in social networks. And the drugs listed in our piece of paper were, alas, not the most effective.
To score on the appointment of the drug and believe the reviews on the Internet? Not the best solution. And I was scared. A friend and part-time doctor suggested a way out (though she is a neurologist): “Find a doctor in your environment, trust him, call when it’s scary”. She became our doctor, besides, her friend was ill herself and many in her environment. Therefore, I had the necessary experience.
Algorithm of actions suggested by the doctor over the phone
1. There are a lot of protocols for treating a new infection on the Internet in the public domain. There are old versions to forget, but there are also new ones. First of all, you need to choose one doctor, one version of the protocol and adhere to the treatment clearly. And you do not need to waste time calling all your acquaintances who have been ill: this is their experience, their path, and it has nothing to do with you.
This is a very important point – faith in yourself, your strengths and the knowledge of the doctor.
2. Keep a sickness diary. In a regular school notebook, start from the first day to write down the indicators of your well-being (3 times a day): temperature, oxygen saturation, pressure and pulse. You can note what medications you are taking, the characteristics of your well-being. This must be done in writing as well. Suddenly you will feel worse, then the ambulance that has arrived will be able to clearly trace the dynamics of your well-being and record the turning point of the illness.
3. Listen carefully to your body: if you want to lie down, lie down. And forget about household chores: you are faced with a serious enemy, and you need to save your strength.
4. Be sure to call the clinic, if you suddenly did not do it right away, and report the illness. You must get into the medical base as a coronavirus patient. And then you will be able to take a free smear when you recover, if your health worsens, you will be prescribed a free CT scan, and after treatment you will be given a referral for blood and urine tests. And in case of a difficult recovery, rehabilitation measures await you.
5. It is better to call all medical institutions and “hot lines” after 5 pm, so there are more chances to hear the cherished “we are listening to you”. But in the morning and at lunchtime, as a rule, everyone calls and gets mad when the other end of the line is busy all the time.
6. Your friends and colleagues will learn about the disease and will overwhelm you with advice. Of all this, you have to select only useful advice that was given by adequate people with a balanced psyche.
7. There are important days: the 5th, 10th and 14th days from the onset of the first symptoms. Temperature, pressure, pulse, saturation – pay attention to them. With a mild course of the disease, usually on the 5th day, the symptoms (general malaise, discomfort, head and muscle pulling pains, nasal congestion, temperature over 37,5 ° C) begin to disappear. And the absence of smell and taste is still preserved. The next line is the 10-14th day: the person fully recovers, his sense of smell and taste return, the PCR shows “negative”.
8. After going through each time stage, thank fate that you are on the mend. But, having felt relief, you do not need to abruptly return to the usual load at home and at work. Take care of yourself!
9. On the 10th day after the onset of the first symptoms, my doctor recommended that I donate blood for the level of C-reactive protein, ferritin and D-dimer. They, along with other indicators, indicate the prerequisites for the development of a cytokine storm (uncontrolled inflammation, which leads to damage to the body’s own tissues). I had to pay for them in a private laboratory, but these tests are taken according to indications and in the district clinic. Another question is that you have to stand in line and get to the doctor. Here everyone chooses for himself: time or money.
10. It is very important to control the respiratory function. Even if you have a pulse oximeter (a device that monitors your heart rate and oxygen saturation) and your readings are normal, check your shortness of breath. Does it occur when walking, during long conversations on the phone.
Important: if you have more than 20 breaths per minute and heart palpitations, you need to see a doctor immediately.
A positive attitude and knowledge of the course of the disease will help you cope with the new virus. Remember that 80% of patients with COVID-19 are mild to moderate and treated on an outpatient basis at home, and only 20% can recover only in a hospital. Alas, it is impossible to say exactly which group you or one of your family members fall into. It all depends on immunity. Be healthy!