In seemingly no time, COVID-19 (previously referred to as the coronavirus) has become the biggest worldwide health concern experienced in many years and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global health pandemic.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent or treat COVID-19, so we all must pay close attention and do all we can to avoid exposure to both this dangerous new virus and also the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), above all else we need to wash our hands often and do it properly.
According to the CDC, the proper steps to washing your hands include, in sequential order, wetting your hands with running warm or cold water and then turning off the tap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails and vigorously scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands well with clean running water and then dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.
Social distancing is also a key practice. It refers to actions taken to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. For an individual, it refers to maintaining enough distance between you and another person to reduce the risk of breathing in droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. As always, do not go to work if you are ill.
While COVID-19 is largely a respiratory virus, the CDC says symptoms include a fever and a dry cough before respiratory symptoms appear. In some cases, the virus can cause pneumonia and is potentially life-threatening.
The CDC states that most people who get sick with COVID-19 will get better in time. Recovery time varies and, for people who are not severely ill, may be similar to the aftermath of a flu-like illness.
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. Those who contract this virus should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms and for severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
People who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately. If you are ill with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please call your health center or clinic before coming to your appointment. At Eskenazi Health, please call 317-880-7666 before coming to your appointment. Health care professionals are available 24/7 to answer questions on symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate care. It is important to first call before arriving to Eskenazi Health facilities.
In these times, it is very important that you use reliable sources for your information. In addition to your healthcare provider, the CDC and the Indiana State Department of Health are both excellent sources for information. The Indiana State Department of Health has a call center for health care providers and members of the public who have concerns about COVID-19, which is staffed 24 hours a day at 317-233-7125. Lastly, it is extremely important for all citizens to remain up to date follow the instruction of state authorities to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our communities and state. It will take all of us working together to accomplish this goal. Be safe and well!
Dr. Amy Beth Kressel
Medical Director
Eskenazi Health
Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship
