COVID-19 Aftercare Inst NARH

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Home Care Instructions for Patients with Mild Respiratory Infection

Most people with respiratory infections like colds, the flu, and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) will have mild illness and can get better with appropriate home care and without the need to see a provider. People who are elderly, pregnant, or have a weak immune system, or other medical problem are at higher risk of more serious illness or complications. It is recommended that they carefully monitor their symptoms closely and seek medical care early if their symptoms get worse.

TREATMENT AND MEDICAL CARE
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for most viruses including those that that cause the common cold and those that cause COVID-19. Sometimes there is treatment for the viruses that cause influenza if given early. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, but they do not work against viruses.
Most people recover on their own from these viruses, including COVID-19. Here are steps that you can take to help you get better:
• Rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take over-the-counter cold and flu medications to reduce fever and pain. Follow the instructions on the package, unless your doctor gave you instructions. Note that these medicines do not “cure” the illness and therefore do not stop you from spreading germs.
• Children should not be given medication that contains aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) because it can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. Medicines without aspirin include acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®). Children younger than age 2 should not be given any over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a doctor.

Seeking Medical Care
You should seek medical care if you are not getting better within a week, or if your symptoms get worse. If you are elderly, pregnant, have a weak immune system, or other medical problems, call your doctor right away.
It is best to call ahead of time to discuss your symptoms, if possible. This may allow you to receive the advice you need by phone. By avoiding a visit to a healthcare facility, you protect yourself from getting a new infection and protect others from catching an infection from you. If you do visit a healthcare facility, put on a mask to protect other patients and staff.
It is recommended that you seek medical care for serious symptoms, such as:
People with potentially life-threatening symptoms should call 911. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
PROTECTING OTHERS
Follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
Stay home when you are sick
• Stay home – do not go to work, school, or public areas.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your symptoms have gone away without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• If you must leave home while you are sick, try to avoid using public transportation, ride-shares, and taxis. Wear a mask if possible.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
• Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home as much as possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Try to stay at least 6 feet from others.
• Do not handle pets or other animals while you are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately wash your hands.
Avoid sharing personal household items
• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. Wash them thoroughly with soap and water after use.
Clean your hands often
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day
• High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the product label instructions.

Updated 3/14/20

COVID-19 DC INSTRUCTIONS AND FAQ

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COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) FAQs for Inquiring Patients

What do you do if you are worried that you have been exposed to COVID-19 but are without any symptoms?
If you develop symptoms that may indicate an infection, contact your physician. These include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Testing is not available for asymptomatic individuals, regardless of travel history.
To reduce the chance of getting sick use general infection prevention measures such as hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and discarding any tissues carefully, and staying home when you are sick. Wear a mask.

Should patients cancel or postpone an upcoming trip?
The decision about travel is personal and should be made in the context of a person’s underlying health conditions, reason for travel and necessity of travel.
Travel insurance generally does not cover cancellations due to concerns of infectious disease outbreaks.

The Center for Disease Control has a section on travel notices. Situations are changing frequently and you should monitor the site for updates.
Should situations change rapidly in a foreign country while they are traveling, you could be subject to quarantine or restrictions upon return to the United States. It is best to have a plan on how to return urgently if needed during a trip abroad.
Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses do not spread easily on airplanes. CDC does recommend use of facemasks during air travel.

Should facemasks be routinely worn?
Yes.

What other general precautions are advised?
Patients should be instructed to:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Wear a mask whenever you are indoors (except within your home), within 6 feet of others, or if you are outdoors and cannot maintain distance.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home from work or school when they are sick. If you have a fever, you should remain home until 24 hours after fever resolves.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Sneeze/cough into their elbow, not your hand.
Practice frequent hand hygiene with soap and water (at least 20 seconds) or alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid crowded places or mass gatherings, especially if you are immunocompromised or have chronic lung disease.

Are there any special precautions that are recommended if I am pregnant?
There is not yet any information available about the susceptibility of pregnant women to COVID-19. As a general rule, pregnant women may be more susceptible to viral respiratory infections and at risk for more severe illness.
The CDC guidance for COVID-19 and pregnancy has answers to questions about transmission during delivery, breastfeeding as well as other situations.

Should food, water, or medications be stockpiled? Should people telecommute?
The CDC has excellent information on this. Please visit the CDC’s guidance for getting your household ready for COVID-19.

What do I do if I’ve been exposed to a known confirmed COVID-19 case?
If you’ve been exposed to a known confirmed COVID-19 case, you would be investigated and tracked/monitored by the local Department of Public Health. The Department of Health will have jurisdiction and will provide you with specific instructions on what to do if they develop symptoms.

What should I do if I start feeling sick at work? And what should the workplace do for anyone exposed?
Anyone who is sick with a fever and cough should stay home from work until at least 24 hours after resolution of fever, regardless of concerns for COVID-19. It is still influenza (flu) season and influenza remains far more common.

MDM – Peds Fever (Low Risk)

MDM, Peds, Uncategorized

This well-appearing child presents with fever, likely secondary to a urinary source vs viral syndrome. No localizing symptoms of URI or intraabdominal pathology, low suspicion for serious bacterial infection given nontoxic appearance and otherwise healthy child with no major medical problems. Doubt pneumonia or pyelonephritis. Doubt meningitis or appendicitis.

Plan: ***straight cath for urine, antipyretic instructions, reassurance and reassessment, discharge with pediatrics f/u

MDM – Diarrhea (Low Risk)

MDM, Uncategorized

This patient presents with diarrhea consistent with likely viral enteritis. Doubt acute bacterial diarrhea. Considered, but think unlikely, partial SBO, appendicitis, diverticulitis, other intraabdominal infection. Low suspicion for secondary causes of diarrhea such as hyperadrenergic state, pheo, adrenal crisis, hyperthyroidism, or sepsis. Doubt antibiotic associated diarrhea.

Plan: PO rehydration, reassess, discharge with OTC antidiarrheal meds//short course antibiotics

MDM – Cellulitis

Uncategorized

presents with initial presentation of local erythema, warmth, swelling to ____ for ___ days.

Sensitivity/pain to light touch around the erythematous area.
No lymphangitic spread visible and no fluid pockets or fluctuance c/f abscess noted.
Low c/f osteomyelitis or DVT.
No immune compromise, bullae, pain out of proportion, or rapid progression c/f necrotizing fasciitis.

In ED: Erythema outlined
Rx: Cephalexin 500mg PO q6hrs

Disposition: No evidence of serious bacterial illness requiring admission for IV antibiotics. Nontoxic appearing, VSS. Low risk for treatment failure based on history. Will discharge home with PO antibiotics and return precautions discussed at bedside.

MDM – Shingles

Uncategorized

_ patient with a vesicular rash on an erythematous base in a dermatomal pattern consistent with herpes zoster. Not immunocompromised and without signs of systemic or disseminated infection. Low suspicion for alternate etiology of rash such as SJS, drug rash, viral exanthem, or other emergent cause of rash.

Plan: acyclovir 800mg 5x/day for a week, gabapentin and other pain control, reassessment, likely discharge

MDM – Cellulitis (DC)

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This patient presents with initial presentation of local erythema, warmth, swelling concerning for cellulitis.
Sensitivity/pain to light touch around the erythematous area.
No lymphangitic spread visible and no fluid pockets or fluctuance c/f abscess noted.
Low c/f osteomyelitis or DVT.
No immune compromise, bullae, pain out of proportion, or rapid progression c/f necrotizing fasciitis.

In ED: Erythema outlined
Rx: Cephalexin 500mg PO q6hrs,_

Disposition: No evidence of serious bacterial illness requiring admission for IV antibiotics. Nontoxic appearing, VSS. Low risk for treatment failure based on history. Will discharge home with PO antibiotics and return precautions discussed at bedside.

CHF Exacerbation – Admit

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This patient presents with signs and symptoms consistent with an acute exacerbation of chronic CHF, likely due to ***. Differential diagnosis includes alternate cardiopulmonary causes such as ischemia, PE, pneumothorax, and pneumonia, as well as other causes of dyspnea such as asthma/RAD, COPD, flash pulmonary edema, dysrhythmia but these are less likely. Patient is generally hemodynamically stable.

Plan: labs, EKG, CXR, troponin, intravenous diuresis, and electrolyte repletion. Will require admission for IV diuretics and medical optimization.