How at-risk people should deal with COVID-19 infection
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Time estimated: 6 min
With more and more people infected with COVID-19, there is particular concern about vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people undergoing surgery, cancer patients and those with chronic diseases. Doctors from Jiahui International Hospital provides some guidelines.
Children
According to medical experts, there's no incubation period for children infected with COVID-19, so the initial fever will be the highest. The course of the disease is 3 to 5 days.
Watch out for febrile seizures (i.e., seizures/fits that can affect children with a fever):
● Firstly, don't panic.
● If this happens, lay the child on their side (to prevent them from swallowing any vomit), and do not shake them in order to wake them.
● Use physical cooling methods, and paracetamol suppositories if they are available.
● Seek urgent medical attention.
Pregnant women
The following prenatal check-ups must be adhered to:
Early pregnancy: 11-14th week NT examination.
Second trimester: 20-24th week screening for large deformities and 24-28th week OGTT screening for gestational diabetes.
Late trimester: 36-37th week check-up to determine the delivery method.
People with chronic diseases
● Monitor your underlying diseases frequently.
● Have an online consultation if your underlying diseases are unstable.
● Avoid taking multiple medications at the same time without first consulting with a doctor.
● Store one month worth of your basic medications using online consultations and medication delivery services.
● Do not take additional medication without consulting your doctor first, in order to avoid the burden placed on your liver and kidneys (i.e., for diabetic nephropathy patients, it is recommended to avoid medication that can damage kidney function, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, etc.)
● Be aware of dangerous symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any dangerous symptoms.
Cancer patients
● It is important for cancer patients to get vaccinated, however, please first consult with your physician.
● Store one month worth of your basic medications using online consultations and medication delivery services.
● Do not take additional medication without consulting your doctor first, in order to avoid the burden placed on your liver and kidneys (i.e., for diabetic nephropathy patients, it is recommended to avoid medication that can damage kidney function, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, etc.)
● Be aware of dangerous symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any dangerous symptoms.
Patients undergoing surgery
Before surgery:
● Surgery can be carried out as normal. The COVID-19 viral load is very small in the majority of surgical sites, including the skin, muscles and abdominal cavity.
● If you are going to have surgery, it is recommended that you improve your nutritional intake (including taking protein supplements).
● It is important to maintain normal protection measures when coming to the hospital and when going home. It is recommended to wear an N95 mask.
After surgery:
● It is important to follow your doctor's advice when taking medication.
● Typically, following the surgery, painkillers are used. If you develop a COVID-19 infection and need to take fever medication, please inform your doctor. The doctor will evaluate whether the painkillers and fever medication contain duplicate ingredients, and may reassess the recommended dosage.
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Illustration: Li Yi