Dr. Nwosu Talks About COVID-19

At Riverside ER, we have become quite adept at monitoring, treating, and testing for the novel Coronavirus.  As your local ER, we are committed to the health and wellbeing of our community as it struggles with Coronavirus as well as other viruses during the cold and flu season.

It is important to know the risk factors associated with Covid-19, and how this novel virus is different from the typical strains of flu that we see this time of year. Symptoms associated with a patient that has been infected with the Coronavirus ranges dramatically from mild to severe. This is not so different from what we see every year in our community from the flu, but the impact it can have on our respiratory systems is worth taking extra precautions.

Please keep the following points in mind as we venture through the cold and flu season:

  • A lot is still unknown about Coronavirus, but it is believed to have been originated from bats and somehow transmitted to humans. Coronavirus, also popularly known as Covid-19, is a virus that very commonly causes upper respiratory infection. As with all conditions or maladies that cause an upper respiratory infection, it is especially important to be seen by your physician to monitor your progress should you start to have symptoms of an infection.  Difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, a nagging cough, or elevated temperature are just a few of the symptoms associated with a respiratory infection. As some of these symptoms are common with some of our high-risk patients, it is best to come see us immediately so we can monitor your symptoms and proceed with the right course of treatment.

Are you risk for severe illness?

  • Increasing Age have been reported to pose a big risk for serious illness.
  • Comorbidities like heart disease, diabetes, smoking, chronic lung disease like bronchitis and emphysema, hypertension, cancer and so much more have also been documented as risk factors.

Do you have Covid-19?

  • After exposure to someone with coronavirus, it takes 2-4 days and sometime up to 14 days for symptoms to manifest.
  • Upper respiratory symptom includes runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches, facial pain and earache.
  • Respiratory Symptoms are more severe in the elderly, immunocompromised and people with multiple comorbidities and can lead to Pneumonia which can ultimately lead to respiratory failure. Pneumonia is the cause of majority of serious complication seen with Covid-19
  • GI symptoms can also occur and includes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
  • Other symptoms include loss of taste and smell, trouble breathing, weakness, headache and also rashes have been reported

How is it diagnosed?

  • PCR test which is a Nose swab but takes more than 24 hours to get the result back
  • Antigen test, also a nose swab but results in 15 minutes.
  • Other options for testing include a saliva and throat swab but it is not readily available.
  • Antibody test are also available but only confirms exposure but cannot diagnose acute infection.

How is it treated?

  • There is no specific medication to treat Covid-19, all medications currently in use are experimental. Most people with mild illness will fully recover with progressing, but people with serious symptoms might need to go to the hospital.

    • Being that is a virus, supportive care is always primary and this includes: rest, hydration, fever reducing agents and pain medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen.
    • Most physicians start patients on multivitamin, vitamin C, vitamin D, Zinc and a lot of other supplements
    • Steroids have also been given if criteria for use are met
    • Convalescent plasma and Remdesivir have been used if hospitalized and meet hospital criteria for use.

What you can do to prevent catching Covid-19:

  • Moderna and Pfizer pharmaceutical companies have produced covid-19 vaccines which are currently awaiting FDA emergency use authorizations for vaccinations to start.
  • In the meantime, wear a facial mask, practice social distancing, avoid gathering, wash your hands, and avoid traveling if you can.

We are here for you! Our primary mission here at Riverside ER is not just to treat the most critical health concerns in our community. We are here to help our community with the cuts, bumps, breaks, viruses, and bruises that makes up our life’s journey.

Stay safe out there.

Written by: Dr. Adaeze Nwosu M.D.

Riverside ER CMO, Radiology Director & Director Medical Education

Sources: CDC, JAMA, NEJM, UPTODATE