Based on this such developments, he shares answers to frequently asked questions from their patients.
Take note of the following:
• Visiting family and friends is still prohibited under Level 3 lockdown for good reason. People need to adhere to the restrictions.
• Patients with co-morbidities including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and those over 60 are especially vulnerable.
• The laboratories are struggling to keep up with the demand for swab tests.
• Only patients with symptoms should consider testing.
• When one had contact with a Covid-19 positive person, self-isolation is important for at least eight days. One needs to contact your doctor telephonically to decide if and when a test is needed.
• When developing symptoms, including any of the following sore throat, cough, body ache, fatigue, abdominal cramps or diarrhoea, self-isolate immediately and contact your doctor telephonically. A test may be considered.
• There is no proven treatment for the virus. Only rest, paracetamol and symptomatic medication for colds are suggested.
• In positive cases the isolation time needs to be confirmed by your doctor.
“We also urge the community to be careful and to take the correct measures to stay safe,” he said.
More questions
• Is this sudden spike due to more testing and screening done at shopping centres as an example?
No, the virus is spreading and more cases are diagnosed.
• How do we know how accurate these tests are – we had people testing positive one day and two days later negative – is there an explanation for this?
There is always the possibility of a false positive or false negative test. The labs we use have tests of a high standard, so those cases are rare. It gives more reason only testing those with symptoms.
• In a case such as mentioned above, what is the correct procedure to follow? Should this person still self-isolate and be tested again?
Self-isolation for eight days from the day of having contact with a positive patient is the best plan in most cases. If asymptomatic and never developing symptoms then a test is not needed after that time. If having symptoms, rather contact your doctor and discuss the next step.
• Is the probability higher for children and if so, which age is most vulnerable?
There is conflicting evidence and currently no certainty around children’s chances of getting or transmitting the virus.
• There is the suggestion that Covid-19 acts like a blood clot – is that true or false?
The latest evidence points to Covid-19 causing blood clotting which indirectly affects the lungs.
Issued by Dr A van Niekerk, general practitioner, PulseMed
