Forty days after the state of emergency was declared to curb the spread of COVID-19, measures to lift lockdown restrictions have begun. The exit will be gradual, but it is important to remember that the disease is still there and we must follow the recommendations as we did on the first day.
At Biosalud Day Hospital, we recommend following the official information provided by the health authorities and acting responsibly as citizens by following the recommendations and preventive measures established in each case.
How can I tell if I have coronavirus?
Health authorities indicate that if you have symptoms such as FEVER, COUGH, AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH, AND YOU HAVE BEEN IN A RISK AREA OR HAVE HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO IS A PROBABLE OR CONFIRMED CASE, you should: stay at home and call the telephone number provided by your Autonomous Community.
At this time, diagnostic testing is available to patients who present with symptoms. The main symptoms are fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, or sputum production.
In most cases, symptoms are mild. There may be more severe cases that lead to pneumonia, kidney failure, and even death. Initially, it was believed that severe cases affected elderly people or those with immune problems or chronic heart or lung diseases. However, we now know that anyone is vulnerable and can develop severe symptoms.
As for tests to detect COVID-19, there are three types available on the market. They differ in terms of their reliability, the environment in which they must be performed, and the time it takes to produce results.
The most accessible are rapid antigen tests. The World Health Organization only recommends them for confirming serious cases—in nursing homes and hospitals—or for conducting clinical trials, as they are less reliable.
Serological tests are accessible and reliable: they detect antibodies, making them useful for identifying who has been infected. However, they do not detect the virus until seven days after infection, nor do they detect it if the patient is asymptomatic.
PCR tests are the gold standard diagnostic test and must be performed in a medical center due to their complexity. This serological analysis is more reliable as the disease progresses.
How can I become infected?
The virus is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets that we emit when we cough, sneeze, or exhale. If we are infected, the virus will be transmitted through direct contact and through the air. It is also transmitted through surfaces, hence the importance of washing your hands and the recommendation to avoid touching your face.
The World Health Organization recommends staying two meters away from people who show symptoms.
The use of public transportation is a necessity for many people and is a potential source of infection, especially handrails, grab bars, and seats. Hence the importance and insistence on hand washing.
Can I get COVID-19 twice?
In principle, a person who has contracted the virus becomes immune. There have been cases of patients with symptoms who, after staying at home for fifteen days, have been "reinfected" or have developed symptoms. It is still unclear whether, in these cases, the initial diagnosis was reliable. It should be noted that in many cases, diagnoses have been made by telephone based on the symptoms, or the discharge diagnosis has not been properly made.
What should I do if I have to travel?
Since the state of emergency was declared, travel is prohibited except in cases of force majeure or necessity.
Those who must go to work may do so in a private vehicle. Two people may travel in the car, one in each row. It is also possible, for example, to move house if the specific case falls under these causes of force majeure or situation of necessity. It is recommended that you consult the State Security Forces and Corps about your specific case.
At this point, we will have to pay close attention to the measures to lift lockdown restrictions because the population will be allowed to move around more freely.
We are facing an exceptional situation, and this is testing our ability to adapt to change. This is not just a health crisis; it is also affecting the economy, social interaction, and our way of life. It is normal for this to cause anxiety.
We recommend that, if you want to stay informed, you do so through official sources or the media, as they constantly update service information. However, both information overload and the spread of rumors, opinions, and testimonials from unknown sources can cause us unnecessary concern. In this regard, the WHO has made some recommendations.
