Covid -19 Test- To do OR Not to do?
Covid
-19 Test- To do OR Not to
do?
The
whole world is in an alarming state at present. People everywhere are under the
constant fear of the novel corona virus.
An
innocent sneeze has now become a suspicious act. A slight itch in the throat
runs chills down your back.
I would not elaborate on the symptoms
here. There is huge amount of data available about the symptoms.
Now everyone, I stress everyone, because
even the kids now a days can write an
essay on covid 19. Inspite of knowing all this there is still a
major fear amongst all, and that is regarding the testing of Covid 19.
Though symptomatic, people are hesitant to get
tested. Here, I would like to tell you all in short,
1.When
should you get tested for Covid 19 , if you have symptoms?
2.When
and Why should you get tested for Covid 19, even though you have no symptoms?
3.Do
you get a false positive test result ?
4.Procedure
for getting tested?
5.Is
hospitalization the only way out?
1.When should you get tested for Covid 19 , if you have symptoms?
Covid has
symptoms similar to any other flu. Then how to differentiate?
- In Covid there are severe aches and pains. This could be an alarming symptom. Some patients develop extreme pain in the back, legs etc. without any other symptom. There might be slight feverish feeling along with it. Thus don’t ignore any pain with fever.
- It is a contagious virus. If you find two members of a family get sick one after the other, suspect it to be Covid. Get tested to safeguard the other remaining members especially the kids and oldies.
- If there is a fever which is particularly coming at night, then be alert. This fever sometimes is not too high, goes with a paracetamol but again crops up once its effect is over. Get tested if you have such a fever.
If you are detected with the virus at an earlier stage, it is easy to come out of this soup with a few tablets.
It saves you
from the heavy injections , ICU and ventilators. Your family is spared from the
stress of getting a bed for you in the hospital, which is a very stressful
situation in the present senario.
I
know it is a costly affair to get tested. But if it is going to save you from
further consequences which are more costlier in terms of health and wealth too,
go for it.
2.When and Why should you get tested for Covid 19, even though you have no symptoms?
Once a
patient tests positive his contacts are traced. It means the people he has come
in contact in last few days are found out.
These
people should ideally get tested. This is because even if they do not have
symptoms at present, they may develop in few days. Secondly unless they know
they are positive, they keep going out and spread the virus. Our aim is to curb
the virus spread.
3.Do you get a false positive test result?
No. But if you feel you are ok and the report
is wrong, fine. Fill up a consent form saying I’ll stay at home and take care
of myself. Nobody is going to drag you to the hospital. There is no vacancy for
the critically ill, who will entertain the asymptomatic? Do just a favor of
staying away from the others.
4.Procedure for getting tested?
In India there is home collection of swab. Many labs do it. Just give them a call, they come home, take your sample and mail you the reports with 24hours.
It’s very easy , trust me. Costs around
Rs.2,000 per person at present. If you want to get it done free of cost , visit
any government centre. Pune corona helpline -02025506800
5.Is
hospitalization the only way out?
The answer is No and a Yes both.
No for the young, those who have not come in direct contact of corona patient’s secretions, like sneezing and coughing, but still got infected, don’t know the source of infection. In such cases they suffer from mild to moderate infection.
Home isolation with daily doctor’s telephonic
consultation and taking prescribed tablets is enough.
And yes
for the 50+ aged people with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease,
heart diseases.
Don’t
Panic. Keep your cool and take the right decision.
Dr.Sneha Suryavanshi Porlekar MD(Hom),
Homoeocare Clinic.
Katraj ,Pune
Maharashtra India.
Call on -9168614747 for Appointments.
Video and Phone consultations on prior appointment.
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