chatwithketch

Q: WHEN IS COUGH A SYMPTOM OF CORONA VIRUS?

A: Common symptoms of corona virus are a fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and cough. The cough can be of any type, but it is most commonly a dry cough.

Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are present in a serious common cold or flu, and so they are not necessarily symptoms of corona virus every time they are experienced.

To be safe, any time these symptoms are observed together, after recent travel or contact with people who have been diagnosed with the virus, or in locations with community transmission, please consult your doctor or call the COVID-19 hotline. Calling in with your symptoms is a better idea than visiting the health facility for now.

The hotline will advise on the next course of action.

Stay safe, people! .

Q: Hi, Doctor. I am deeply concerned about this present pandemic Covid19. Thankfully, there have been survivors of the disease. Here is my question, can a person who just recovered from the disease develop an immune system that will help him never to contact it again?

Thanks for your Great impact

A: Hallos! Thanks for writing in

You’ve raised a good question.

We have seen some news coming out of China that suggest that some people who had tested negative to the virus, soon afterwards, tested positive again. And so the concern is, ‘does this mean a reinfection?’ or perhaps ‘the patient never really fully recovered from the initial infection?’ Or ‘maybe it’s the residual RNA (genetic material) from the virus?’ We don’t fully have the answers to this now – knowledge on COVID-19 keeps evolving.

What we do know is that with the other coronaviruses, the antibodies that patients produce during the infection confers some immunity for that specific virus which can last for months or even years

What is important for everyone to know for now is that nothing should give you a false sense of security – not masks, not the fact that you were infected and are now negative or that you feel your immune system is up to the task. Everyone should focus on doing the right things

1. Stay home
2. If you must go out, wear a face mask and practice social distancing. On wearing a mask, as I said before, new things keep coming to light about this virus and now there are concerns that it could be spread by even people who are not showing symptoms by just breathing or talking. So, protect yourself, you or the person you’re talking to could be asymptomatic (not showing symptoms). Use a cloth mask so we can save the hospital grade masks for the frontline medical staff who really need them
3. Wash your hands often with water and soap. Washing under running water is ideal. If you don’t have running water, have someone pour water over your hands. Do this for at least 20 seconds
4. For those times that you are not able to wash your hands, please use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Rub all over your hands in much the same way as when you’re washing your hands and rub until dry
5. If you need to cough or sneeze, do that into the crook of your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, dispose of it immediately in a trash can/dustbin and wash your hands immediately. Remember that if you’re wearing an outfit that overs your elbow, you’ve deposited some germs there and it’s a great idea to wash these clothes at the end of the day. And take a bath!

One of the silver linings of COVID-19 is a return to personal hygiene. Let’s all take this seriously and send this virus packing!

Q: Doc, I had a copper IUD inserted 5 months ago and after checking up on it we found out that it wasn’t in place. Does it give me a higher chance of being preggy given the position of the IUD? Please notice my concern. Thank you!

A: Hi dear, thanks for writing in.

If indeed, the IUD has shifted and it’s not the string that you feel, you need to see visit your family planning clinic as soon as possible to get that checked out. Remember that if, indeed, the IUD is not properly inserted or has been expelled, you stand the risk of a pregnancy and so you should get this checked out shortly and use some other form of contraception in the meantime.

Generally, there are warning signs to look out for when you have the IUD on. If you experience any of these under-listed symptoms, please see your doctor immediately.

1. Severe vaginal bleeding with at least 2 sanitary towels soaked every hour for 2 or more hours.
2. Smelly vaginal discharge. This could be associated with fever and chills
3. Severe pain in abdomen or pelvis

General information about IUDs:

• They are more than 99% effective

• You and your partner cannot feel the IUD itself either during sexual intercourse or while checking for it. The IUD itself should be firmly housed inside the womb/uterus. If indeed, you can feel it in the vagina, it may have been expelled

• Your partner may however be able to feel the string during sexual intercourse and the string can also be felt if a finger is into the vagina.

• People who have inserted IUDs may feel abdominal cramps or lower back ache for a few weeks after insertion

• Bleeding in between periods may also happen.

• There is a risk of infection if the user of IUD or her sexual partner have other sexual partners.

All the best!

Q: Dear Doc. Is it true that one can be infected with COVID 19 and not show symptoms until the virus leaves the person’s body?. Please I will appreciate your response. Thanks
A: There are people who contract COVID-19 and show no symptoms or experience only mild disease.
For more more answers to questions you may have, please click on the link below and access WHO’s questions and answers.
Have a good night, people!

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

More facts and fiction on COVID-19
IF I HAVE THE VIRUS BUT SHOW NO SYMPTOMS, I’M NOT CONTAGIOUS

Fiction

This is not true. It’s incredibly important to be safe when coming in contact with people- you never know who has the virus. It’s also incredibly important to self-quarantine after you’ve possibly been in contact with the virus. This is important because you may have the virus and may not be exhibiting any symptoms because sometimes, they take time to develop (two weeks). There have been people with the virus that experienced mild to no symptoms, but that didn’t reduce their ability to infect others. So be safe. For your sake and for others.

SNEEZING IS A SYMPTOM OF COVID-19

Fact but not always

COVID-19 shares some symptoms with a common flu, but not all. Sneezing for example, is not a classic symptom of this virus. While we are trying to be safe, we must be reasonable and not discriminate people. If someone sneezes, they may just have dust in their nose. Maintain your distance, but don’t run away. Be safe AND respectful.

I hope y’all are doing well? You’re ll in my prayers. This too shall pass!

Hello everyone, as we go through these uncertain times, here are some tips to help you sleep.

If you’re in Lagos, as the city goes into a lock down, obey all the rules. Stay home! https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/strategies-to-promote-better-sleep-in-these-uncertain-times-2020032719333