-19 If patients were informed about the seriousness of COVID-19, doctors believe it would help to reduce the spread of the virus

By Greg Fischer

What doctors wish patients knew about COVID

Understanding COVID

COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019, has significantly impacted the world. In this chapter, we aim to shed some light on what doctors wish their patients knew about COVID. The information provided herein is not only pertinent but also user friendly, making it seamless for everyone to understand.

First things first, COVID-19 is caused by a virus known as SARS CoV-2 that primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when a person in close proximity coughs or sneezes. Unlike other diseases, one can contract COVID even if they seem healthy, mainly because people with COVID can remain asymptomatic yet still spread the virus.

Bob caught the train one day and did not know that the passenger next to him had COVID. Even though Bob felt fine, he was spreading the virus to others without realizing it since he contracted it from the passenger.

As per doctors:

The virus can affect anyone regardless of age, health status, or geographical location.

You can contract COVID even if you seem healthy.

To protect yourself and others, always remember to wear your mask properly.

Social distancing can help reduce the chances of transmission.

Regular hand washing is an effective measure in preventing COVID.

Vaccination is currently the strongest protection method against severe disease.

Fighting Misinformation

With the onset of the pandemic came an unprecedented wave of misinformation. Falsehoods were rampant, causing unnecessary panic and widespread confusion. It’s crucial to trust sources that are renowned and reliable, like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for the latest updates on the pandemic.

Doctors urge individuals to avoid self-diagnosis based on information gained from unverified sources. Self-diagnosis hinders the correct clinical diagnosis, thereby delaying appropriate treatment.

For instance, Clara read about a supposed COVID cure on a social media platform. She decided to try it rather than seeking proper medical advice. Not only did her symptoms persist, but she also experienced side effects from the unverified ‘cure.’

Doctors advise that:

Only rely on information from credible and verified sources.

Avoid self-diagnosis and self-treatment based on unverified sources.

Do not forward unverified information as it propagates misinformation.

Always consult a healthcare professional if you think you may have COVID.

Getting tested at an authorized center ensures accurate results.

Maintain caution till an official announcement is made by medical or government authorities.

The Reality of Vaccination

Vaccination for COVID-19 has spurred a range of reactions from elation to skepticism. Doctors really wish patients realized the importance of vaccination not just in protecting oneself but also as a societal duty to contain the transmission of COVID.

Being vaccinated significantly reduces the risk of acquiring severe disease. It’s most likely that you would need to get booster shots as recommended by your health professional. Unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of developing severe COVID symptoms and spreading the virus.

Consider Joseph, who decided against vaccination due to misinformation. In contrast, his friend Martin went ahead to receive the vaccine and later got a mild variant of COVID. Whereas Martin had mild symptoms and recovered swiftly, Joseph contracted severe COVID.

Vaccine-related information:

Vaccines do not give 100% protection from contracting the illness but help prevent severe disease and hospitalization.

Being vaccinated does help reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.

Booster shots might be necessary depending on the evolving variants.

Several vaccines have been authorized for emergency use so far and they have shown significant efficacy.

Regarding vaccines, always opt for reliable information sourced from WHO, CDC and other verified health institutions.

Vaccination is indeed a social responsibility for the wellbeing of one’s community.

Understanding Long COVID

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a condition where individuals continue to experience symptoms or develop new symptoms months after recovering from COVID. These may include fatigue, brain fog, chest pain, and breathlessness.

You may have come across individuals who suffered from COVID during the initial wave but are still grappling with persisting symptoms today. This is not a rare occurrence but rather a reality that many recovered patients face.

Imagine Linda, a fitness enthusiast who contracted COVID last year. Months later, she still feels fatigue and occasional shortness of breath, which drastically affected her usual routine.

Points to remember:

Long COVID can affect anyone including people who experienced mild symptoms initially.

It’s normal to feel tired or out-of-breath post-recovery, which may last for some time.

If you believe you’re experiencing long COVID symptoms, please seek professional medical advice.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation could help manage long COVID symptoms.

Rest and gradual return to normal activities is recommended.

Keep your healthcare provider informed on the prevalence of these conditions.

Not Just A Respiratory Illness

While primarily a respiratory disease, COVID can cause symptoms in many organ systems and doctors do want their patients to know this. It can cause complications such as heart disease, impaired kidney function, neurological damage, and even contribute to mental health issues.

John was surprised when his doctor told him that his continuous feeling of anxiety could be linked to his past COVID infection. It wasn’t just the fatigue or shortness of breath; COVID had also impacted John’s mental health.

Key takeaways:

COVID not just affects the lungs, but other organs too.

You might experience changes in your emotional and mental health during or post COVID.

It’s normal to feel fear, anxiety or sadness during and after the disease.

Seek professional help if such symptoms persist for an extended period.

Rewarding personal habits like maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise will offer aide.

If you have pre-existing conditions, make sure they are well-managed during this period.

The Stress on Healthcare Systems

The pandemic has put immense stress on healthcare systems across the world. Doctors want patients to appreciate the fact that resources are spread thin, and non-emergency procedures might be deferred due to an influx of COVID cases.

Anna’s non-urgent hip surgery was postponed as her hospital experienced a surge in COVID cases. She understood the gravity of the situation and acknowledged the pressure healthcare professionals were under.

Things to keep in mind:

Hospitals may prioritize COVID cases over non-urgent surgeries/procedures.

The virus has caused enormous strain on global healthcare resources.

Patient understanding and cooperation go a long way in easing the demand on healthcare providers.

Ensure that all preventative measures are being taken to avoid unnecessary exposure.

Tele-health is gaining traction and can be utilized whenever possible.

Efforts are underway globally to build stronger and more resilient healthcare systems.

Predictability of the Disease

COVID’s predictability is something doctors want their patients to understand better. It is challenging to predict who will develop severe symptoms as the severity varies from person to person and is influenced by age, immunity status and pre-existing conditions.

Ms. Janet, who was in her mid-70s with underlying health conditions, only had mild symptoms and recovered from COVID at home. In contrast, Tom, a healthy 30-year old with no underlying conditions, took weeks to recover and experienced severe symptoms.

Points worth noting:

Severity of the disease varies greatly among individuals.

You cannot predict your sickness course based on someone else’s experience.

Monitor your symptoms closely even if you’re young and generally healthy.

If your condition worsens, seek immediate medical attention.

The impact of different COVID variants and efficacy of existing vaccines against them are still being studied.

Prioritizing your physical and mental wellbeing is paramount.

Safety Measures Post-Vaccination

Completing the vaccination doses doesn’t make one invincible or mark an end to safety protocols. Vaccines significantly lower your risk of severe disease and hospitalization due to COVID but do not offer complete protection. Therefore, continuing to follow public health measures is vital even after immunization.

After getting fully vaccinated, Mike decided he didn’t need to wear a mask anymore, thinking he was fully protected. Soon, he tested positive for COVID with mild symptoms. Thankfully, due to vaccination, his illness did not get severe. He learned the lesson that post-vaccination protective measures were equally important.

What you should remember:

Vaccination doesn’t mean an end to wearing masks and following social distancing.

It’s advised to maintain good hygiene by washing hands regularly and avoiding large gatherings.

While vaccines are effective, there’s still a small risk of catching and spreading the virus.

Don’t hesitate to continue wearing your mask even if you are fully vaccinated, especially in crowded places.

Protocols may change based on the circulating variants, so keep yourself updated with local regulations.

Ensure to get your vaccine shot/s when they are available and accessible to you.

The Unpredictability of the Pandemic

Another aspect doctors wish patients understood better is the unpredictability of the pandemic. Despite being armed with knowledge and scientific understanding, predicting the trajectory of COVID at an individual or global level remains a challenge due to the continual emergence of new variants.

Mrs. Brown thought she was safe as she had a mild bout of COVID a few months ago. However, upon coming into contact with someone who had been infected with a new variant, Mrs. Brown got infected again.

A few pointers:

The evolution of the pandemic is hard to predict due to the emergence of new variants.

Even after recovering from COVID, it’s possible to get re-infected with a different variant.

Frequent hand hygiene, wearing masks and maintaining social distance remain crucial.

Stay vigilant and stick to recommended guidelines, even if infection rates in your area are low.

Protect yourself and others by continuing to stay informed about the developing scenario.

Not everyone who gets COVID-19 has immunity against re-infection.

Summary Table:

Topics	Key Points
Understanding COVID	The virus can affect anyone; social distancing and masks are effective preventive measures; Vaccines offer significant protection.
Fighting Misinformation	Rely only on verified sources; avoid self-diagnosis; Do not forward unverified information.
Reality of Vaccination	Vaccines prevent severe COVID; it is a social responsibility to get vaccinated.
Understanding Long COVID	Persisting symptoms after recovery are possible; rest and gradual return to activities recommended
Not Just A Respiratory Illness	COVID can affect other organs; you might experience changes in your mental health.
Stress on Healthcare Systems	Hospitals are prioritizing based on urgency; patient cooperation appreciated.
Predictability of the Disease	Severity varies among individuals; monitor your symptoms closely.
Safety Measures Post-Vaccination	Masks and social distancing important even post-vaccination.
Unpredictability of the Pandemic	The emergence of new variants makes the pandemic unpredictable; stay updated with local regulations.