Coronavirus/COVID-19: when to rush to the hospital
March 20, 2020 | Farah Jassawalla

Coronavirus/COVID-19: when to rush to the hospital

اردو میں پڑھیں

COVID-19 is severe, and it is a pandemic, infecting over 169,000 lives all over the world. Healthcare providers, scientists, and researchers are trying to look for a cure or a vaccine, but there's been no success. More people are falling prey to the coronavirus every day. The confirmed new cases in Pakistan have reached 94 with the recent findings of 41 new cases as of today.

There's a global panic situation, and due to misinformation, no one understands about initial actions that should be taken. There are long ques of people outside hospitals who are troubled due to the possibility of an infection. It is the need of the hour to understand your options thoroughly. One should know what steps to take in case there is a coronavirus infection.

Instead of overreacting and causing an alarming situation, there are a few things that anyone can make sure of while staying at home. For starters, look for online medical help. Shifa4u is offering excellent services that are beneficial for both doctors and patients. You can talk to doctors online from your home by simply providing some information. Other points include the following:

        You may have the seasonal flu, mainly if it includes aches and pains

        You may have the common cold

        You may have some other underlying infection

But if you still think that what you're experiencing corresponds more to COVID-19 symptoms, then here's what to look out for:

        You have a high persistent fever with no other medical complications

        You have a continuous dry cough that seems to get worse

        You have difficulty in breathing that’s getting worse with time

        You’re 60 or above and have all or any one of these symptoms

        You have an ongoing illness like blood pressure, diabetesheart disease or cancer and have the above symptoms

There have been extreme situations that were reported, but the probability of a coronavirus patient developing these is quite low. They include renal failure and bleeding.

Once you've made sure of these, the question that arises is that should you still rush to the hospital? What qualifies as an emergency, and what steps should be taken? Doctors and healthcare professionals around the world are suggesting that unless there's some severe condition, like complete difficulty in breathing, patients should stay at home. They should call the emergency health service or look for online assistance.

If you have mild flu-like symptoms, you should quarantine yourself inside your home.

        Keep away from people, especially if they are elderly or are already getting treatments for other diseases.

        Hand hygiene is a must and should be practiced vigilantly.

        Wash your hands and face before eating and drinking.

        Cover your nose and mouth while you sneeze and cough.

        Dispose of the infected tissues and cloths properly.

        Use germ disinfectants and alcohol-based sanitizers.

        Wear a face/respiratory mask when surrounded by people.

        Do not share toiletries and other personal items.

Hospitals are already in a state of emergency and are advising possibly coronavirus victims to be extra conscious about making the journey to the hospital. Prevention can save lives, whereas panicked mistakes can cost more in a pandemic.

Moreover, this message carries great value because we need to prevent this virus from spreading to medical specialists and hospital/clinical crew. That includes all the staff members in a healthcare institution. Before panicking and making hurried decisions, make sure that you are in an emergency situation. Do not hesitate to call your local medical helpline if you are alone and are experiencing any of the signs mentioned above and symptoms. Book your appointments online or talk to a certified doctor and get discounts on lab test packages and imaging services.

 

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Farah Jassawalla

Farah Jassawalla is a graduate of the Lahore School of Economics. She is also a writer, and healthcare enthusiast, having closely observed case studies while working with Lahore's thriving general physicians at their clinics.