Corona Virus (COVID-19) – Helpful information for our patients, family and friends

Since our first post about the Corona virus in January, the WHO ( World Health organisation ) has announced that we are now in the midst of a global pandemic. 

This has created an enormous amount of angst amongst the population as well as the perpetuation of alarmist and inaccurate information. 

In lieu of this, we’ve created this page for our patients, friends and family. It is in keeping with our philosophy to provide useful information without being alarmist. 

To gather this information, we have used reputable web resources such as the WHO and Qld Health & the excellent podcast “Corona-cast” run by Dr Norman Swann from the ABC’s Health Report. You will find links within the references at the bottom of the article.

Corona Virus (COVID-19) – What is it?

The Corona Viruses are a group of viruses that can cause illness ranging from mild respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and fever, to more serious symptoms affecting multiple organs.   There are several different strains.   Corona viruses are zoonotic, meaning that they can jump  between animals and humans.  This is how humans have first contracted the virus. 

Incubation

Like all viruses, there is an incubation period where the infected person may not show any symptoms at all. There is some contention over how long this incubation period may be, but there seems to be general consensus that incubation may be from 1 to 14 days. That is, it can take between 1-14 days before symptoms appear. 

Common Symptoms

According to the WHO, the most distinguishing symptoms or features are :

  • Dry cough and fever 

There may also be general malaise ( feeling ‘off’ and tired ), headache, runny nose and breathing difficulty. 

In the majority of cases, patients will feel unwell for a week or two with the some or all of symptoms listed above, and will make a full recovery. 

The following broad ranges within the population may be more vulnerable to complications and morbidity : 

Persons who are immunocompromised,  or have existing medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease. 

You may have heard that older persons are more vulnerable. Information from Italy and China has debunked this. We are seeing higher rates of death amongst the elderly only because hospitals are under such stress that doctors are making the heart wrenching decision to favour treatment to younger patients over older.

Corona virus has potential to cause harm to all age groups.

Pregnant Women

There is no evidence to suggest that pregnant women are more susceptible than any other segment of the population.  Follow the standard precautions as listed here and on the websites listed  in our references. 

What Do I Do If I Have Symptoms ?

Stay at home until you have made contact with your medical expert. 

Call you Doctors surgery and follow their advice.

You may be given a virtual consultation with your GP or, depending on the severity of your symptoms you may be asked to either come to their surgery, to a fever clinic or to hospital. 

If you are unwell, the prevailing advice is to stay at home unless you have been directed by a medical expert to do otherwise. 

What Do I Do If I Am Unwell And/Or I have Received a Positive Diagnosis ?

Your medical expert will advise the best Western Medical approach. 

You will be directed to self-isolate for a period of time – most likely 2 weeks. No sneaky trips the shops. That is not an option. 

If you would like to support your recovery with Chinese Medicine, then we are here and available via phone support. Chinese medicine can be dispensed by post. 

Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to help combat viral illnesses. It has already played an important part in the recovery of patients in China,  with Hubei Province Integrated Chinese/Western Medicine Hospital releasing valuable information on their approach to herbal medicine in the treatment of the virus. 

We have stocked up on the appropriate herbs that can best help with the symptoms of this type of virus. 

What Can I Do To Protect Myself from COVID19?

Wash you hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

Use soap. Wash for 30-60 seconds. Use a nail brush if you have one. Buy one if you can. 

Avoid touching your face – mouth, nose and eyes. 

Keep your home clean. Try leaving shoes outside. Use soap or alcohol based cleaners to clean bench tops. Air your home and allow sunlight in if you can.

If you are at work, use hand sanitiser often if you can’t wash your hands often.  Clean your desk at work. Use detergent, an alcohol based cleaning agent ( of 65% or higher ) or .5% hydrogen peroxide.  

Avoid contact with anyone who appears or who confesses to being unwell. 

Breath. Get outdoors and get a daily dose of sunlight and fresh air. 

Avoid large crowds if you can, or if you are vulnerable. 

Eat well. Eat as many veges as you like/can. Avoid highly processed foods and dairy. Dairy is a phlegm producing agent in Chinese Medicine. Reports from China indicate that the virus is a damp/phlegm type of virus. 

Rest. Rest when you have the opportunity. If you don’t the opportunity for rest, do your best to create the opportunity. 

Talk with your friends. Tell them you have their back. 

Here is a link to the WHO for those who might like to read more: 

https://www.who.int

Our Clinic

If you have visited our practice, you will have heard or seen myself and Jacinta wash our hands – often. Nothing has changed. 

Our clinic is cleaned regularly – nothing has changed. 

Our linen is commercially cleaned – nothing has changed. 

*We are investigating some antibacterial disposable bed covers for use on the tables and pillows.  

If you are unwell, for the time being, we are happy to provide you with a phone consultation and to dispense Chinese herbs via post. 

At this stage there is no reason to halt treatment from your allied health care workers.  I have worked in either massage or acupuncture through flu seasons for the past 18 years. Whilst not a flu, the same procedures within the clinic apply as they have for the past 17 years.

General

We are here to help as always. 

There is no need to avoid small businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

References :

https://www.who.int Viewed March 2020. The World Health Organisation Website 

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19Viewed March 2020 Queensland Government Health Website 

https://www.keckmedicine.org/coronavirus/Viewed March 2020 University of Southern CaliforniaWebsite 

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/coronacast/ Accessed March 2020 Coroncast Podcast ABC radio program

Disclaimer:

The above has been compiled based on available information to the author and is general information in nature. It is not intended as medical advice. Always seeks advice relating to your own health concerns from your preferred medical practitioner.