Post #4 Corona Virus 101….. Diagnostics
Last night our President declared corona virus a national emergency here in the USA. He also declared that a very small population overall appears to be at high risk. If you are generally a healthy person, that lowers your risk category considerably. (Either way, please refer to Post #3/ Demographics in this series if you aren’t sure.)
If you develop flu like symptoms while we are under the umbrella of this declaration, it is prudent to continue to examine the facts:
Fact #1: It’s still cold and flu season throughout the United States (and probably the world), and symptoms of a cold, flu, or corona virus are all very similar. Additionally, depending on your overall health status, all illnesses may not look the same…. mild cases of all 3 may not even have much of a fever, while severe cases could technically settle into secondary bacterial infections in some people.
Fact #2: Right now, testing is still sketchy. Some people have been tested as many as 6 times before testing positive. Testing kits from the CDC are faulty according to reports… with a 50% accuracy rate.
Additionally, I’ve read that mutations of the original virus have already occurred at least once (common with viruses), so my personal confidence level in testing will likely remain low throughout this situation.
Fact #3: If you are “kinda sick” but don’t feel awful…. but that inner fear is driving you to want to know…. do I have “IT”?……. is it worth it to go to a dr’s office and sit in a germ infested waiting room where you might actually catch something worse than what you have? …. all to receive a test that may not yield accurate results? #rememberwhatcuriositydidtothecat
You do you of course, but my gut tells me, this would not be in my plans for personal care. 😉
Fact #4: Let’s just say you DO have “IT”, but don’t feel much differently than if you had a cold… and THEN, you go to the dr’s office to get tested and you, my friend, become the vector and spreader of germs to someone who quite possibly has an existing immunocompromised situation. …… all to receive a test that, again…. may or may not yield accurate results.
Be kind to others. Please keep your germs to yourself.
Fact #5: Mild illness is not the same as serious illness, and only you know your body and when your symptoms would constitute seeking medical attention. By all means…. go. Be kind tho to others as you evaluate your decision and put your plan into action.
(Please refer to my disclaimer below…. you do you.)
Fact #6: Certain masks are marginally helpful in preventing the spread of this virus. The N95 respirator masks are hard to come by these days, but are the only ones being recommended by the CDC. They filter particles down to .03 microns. (One of the “gain in functionality” issues of the corona virus is its particle size…. which has been found to be anywhere from .05-.02… smaller than what this type of mask is capable of filtering).
Keeping your hands clean, washed, and away from your nose, mouth, and eyes, is really your best option… as well as utilizing an immune boosting lifestyle, which starts with what you put into and on your body on a daily basis (please refer to Post #3 for basic lifestyle tips).
Tomorrow (or perhaps even late tonight if I have time), I’ll unpack what we know to be true about viruses and how to create an inhospitable environment for them. I’m spending today working at the pharmacy…. without a mask.
xoxo ~ liz
#wearenotcalledtoaspiritoffearbutoffaith
#knowbetterdobetter
#ThanksYL
#itsnevertoolatetoincorporateahealthylifestyle
