Covid-19 remains dreaded in the world, with the economic superpowers being some of the worst hit in the world. So far, the world has lost at least 1,437 million people, the United States being the biggest casualty with deaths of at least 270 000 people.
health talk:with Dr Johannes Marisa
The Second World War saw around 400 000 Americans being killed during a conflict that stretched from 1939 to 1945. As of November 26, the number of confirmed cases in Africa amount to 2,120 million which represented around 3,5% of the infections around the world. South Africa was the most drastically affected country, with more than775 000 cases, ranking as the sixteenth highest in the number of cases out of 213 countries. Zimbabwe has recorded about 9 700 cases so far with at least 274 deaths.
As the globe witnesses a second wave of Covid-19 infections, it is prudent that we take cognisance of the early symptoms of the deadly virus. It is a pity that so many people are reluctant to be tested for Covid-19 and on many occasions, patients deny being carriers of Covid-19 despite showing the symptoms. Denying about Covid-19 infection will just act to delay possible treatment modalities. The following are symptoms that are commonly found in patients although the virus affects many people in different ways. On average, it takes five to six days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, but duration can stretch to even 14 days. Be suspicious of Covid-19 if you exhibit the following symptoms:
lFever
lDry cough
lTiredness
lAches and pains
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lSore throat
lDiarrhoea
lLoss of taste and smell
lConjunctivitis
There are more serious symptoms which should be taken care of and these include:
lDifficulty breathing
lChest pains or pressure
lLoss of speech or movement
lDiscolouration of fingers or toes
Please seek immediate medical treatment if you have the serious symptoms. The symptoms of serious infection usually require one to be admitted in a health facility for in-patient management that will include giving oxygen, intravenous fluids, anti-coagulation, painkillers, ventilation and so forth.
Common mistakes on Covid-19
A lot of patients, from my experience, tend to give themselves diagnoses and very few want to hear about Covid-19. It is therefore imperative to listen to medical staff and follow what is needed for the betterment of management. The following have been noticed as errors that need to be corrected as we enter the second wave of infection:
Many patients still think that Covid-19 cannot strike them at all in our country but remains troublesome in the western world. This has resulted in many people even failing to observe public health measures to contain the spread of the virus. Mask-wearing, social distancing and lockdowns are slowly being ignored yet the virus seems to be hitting harder than before.
Many patients do not present early to medical facilities and I have noted that some of the patients with severe symptoms actually present so many days after they started to complicate. Fear should not take precedence over your health safety. Covid-19 is a killer for sure.
Conditions like diabetes mellitus should be screened in anyone who shows some symptoms of it. Some of the symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, dry mouth and paraesthesia. Diabetics should be reminded to keep their sugar levels under control lest Covid-19 will be catastrophic on them. So far, many Covid-19 deaths have occurred from among diabetics.
Rapid tests are not reliable tests as it may take at least 7 days for enough antibodies to be detected in your system. This means that RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) can give a false negative test during the first 8 days of infection while the same patient is mingling with the community. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a better, antigen test with up to 80% sensitivity. People should be reminded that for those that want to travel, PCR is the standard test required at points of entry. I have been inundated with calls from travellers enquiring about the Covid-19 tests. Rapid tests are fast and simple and cost an average of US$25 while PCR tests cost an average of US$65. These prices are from the survey carried out at laboratories or other testing centres.
Let us all be wary about Covid-19 as it ravages the world again in a petrifying way. Observe public health measures, be alert about your symptoms and report to your clinician early. Together we will conquer against Covid!
lDr Johannes Marisa is a medical practitioner and public health practitioner who can be accessed on: [email protected]
