As this is my 3rd week home from school trying my best to manage homework and emails about college during this international pandemic, many people have asked, “Why it is important to avoid contact with other people if I do not feel sick and neither do they?” A study just published in the journal Science illustrates why we need to be very careful. Most COVID-19 infections are actually spread by infected people who have no symptoms. I have quoted the important findings below:
“Findings indicate that a large proportion of COVID-19 infections were undocumented prior to the implementation of travel restrictions and other heightened control measures in China on 23 January, and that a large proportion of the total force of infection was mediated through these undocumented infections…that 86% of infections went undocumented and that, per person, these undocumented infections were 55% as contagious as documented infections….Due to their greater numbers, undocumented infections were the infection source for 79% of documented cases. For every confirmed case, there are most likely another five to 10 people in the community with undetected infections.”
What this means is you should avoid going out unless necessary. This includes going to restaurants, social gatherings, workout facilities, and so on. Keep your distance! Three feet is good, but 6 feet is better for social distancing. Keep washing your hands and using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
New recommendations indicate that social gatherings should be restricted to no more than 10 people. However, based on the study quoted above, it would be best to shelter in place instead. If possible, have food and other essential items delivered to your door, especially if you are over age 60 and/or in poor health.
If you develop cough, fever and shortness of breath, call your doctor for instructions on what to do next. Do not visit the doctor’s office unannounced. Testing is becoming more available, but you need to protect others from whatever is making you sick. The best advice is to act as if you are infected and protect others with responsible actions.
NOTE: Recuperating at home is not recommended if the patient has a history of being intubated and ventilated, or has had reactions in the past that required more than two doses of epinephrine. All patients are encouraged to have at least two epinephrine auto-injectors available at home, and patients who have a history of reactions that required multiple epinephrine auto-injectors are strongly encouraged to have more than two epinephrine auto-injectors available.
These recommendations from FARE are directed toward allergists rather than patients. Each patient is different, and all patients should reach out to their doctors to discuss their personal anaphylaxis care plans and determine which approach to anaphylaxis management is best for them. Telemedicine may offer opportunities to consult with doctors from home and plan in advance for how best to manage anaphylaxis during this time.
Please stay well and safe during this time,
Katie
“Findings indicate that a large proportion of COVID-19 infections were undocumented prior to the implementation of travel restrictions and other heightened control measures in China on 23 January, and that a large proportion of the total force of infection was mediated through these undocumented infections…that 86% of infections went undocumented and that, per person, these undocumented infections were 55% as contagious as documented infections….Due to their greater numbers, undocumented infections were the infection source for 79% of documented cases. For every confirmed case, there are most likely another five to 10 people in the community with undetected infections.”
What this means is you should avoid going out unless necessary. This includes going to restaurants, social gatherings, workout facilities, and so on. Keep your distance! Three feet is good, but 6 feet is better for social distancing. Keep washing your hands and using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
New recommendations indicate that social gatherings should be restricted to no more than 10 people. However, based on the study quoted above, it would be best to shelter in place instead. If possible, have food and other essential items delivered to your door, especially if you are over age 60 and/or in poor health.
If you develop cough, fever and shortness of breath, call your doctor for instructions on what to do next. Do not visit the doctor’s office unannounced. Testing is becoming more available, but you need to protect others from whatever is making you sick. The best advice is to act as if you are infected and protect others with responsible actions.
NOTE: Recuperating at home is not recommended if the patient has a history of being intubated and ventilated, or has had reactions in the past that required more than two doses of epinephrine. All patients are encouraged to have at least two epinephrine auto-injectors available at home, and patients who have a history of reactions that required multiple epinephrine auto-injectors are strongly encouraged to have more than two epinephrine auto-injectors available.
These recommendations from FARE are directed toward allergists rather than patients. Each patient is different, and all patients should reach out to their doctors to discuss their personal anaphylaxis care plans and determine which approach to anaphylaxis management is best for them. Telemedicine may offer opportunities to consult with doctors from home and plan in advance for how best to manage anaphylaxis during this time.
Please stay well and safe during this time,
Katie