Covid Care - Basic

Coronaviruses are a common group of viruses. Some viruses of Corona affect only animals whereas a few others can also affect humans. In humans, many coronaviruses are known to cause infections to respiratory system ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases E.g., Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The most recently discovered coronavirus called as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is responsible to cause Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

How does COVID – 19 spread?

• The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in droplets (small liquid particles) when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe.
• One may directly get infected from this or may also get infected when these droplets land on surfaces and objects.
• The infection may spread by touching contaminated surfaces and objects.

Signs and Symptoms

• Sneezing and coughing
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of smell / taste
• Diarrhoea
• Chest pain

Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. However, person of any age can develop serious complications of the infection resulting in death.

Infected people typically show symptoms after 2-14 days. It is in this period, people are responsible for spreading the virus in the community. Hence, guidelines of isolation and quarantine should be followed very strictly to stop the spread.

• First and very important step is to get vaccinated whenever vaccine is available to you.
• As major route of transmission is through coughing or sneezing, wearing well fitted face mask is crucial.
• Opt for well ventilated places than closed settings
• Maintain physical distance of at least 1 meter. Avoid crowding.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• If you are feeling un-well, please practice self-isolation and seek medical help.

• COVID-19 infected people suffering from pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension or any cardiovascular disease 
• COVID-19 infected people experiencing symptoms like difficulty in breathing, aggressive coughing, blood in cough
• Pregnant and infected with COVID-19
• COVID-19 infection and undergoing any major surgery

Quantitative D-dimer: D-dimer is protein released into the blood once the blood clot dissolves. Elevated levels often indicate increased production of clots.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6): Marker for infection and inflammation. IL-6 is released into blood as body fights with bacteria or viral infections. Hence, elevated levels indicate infection, inflammation or cardiovascular disease.

C-Reactive protein (CRP): Marker of systemic inflammation and it is associated with severe disease in bacterial or viral infections.

Ferritin: Protein in the blood that stores iron. Elevation in level depends on severity of the disease.

These all are inflammatory markers.

Requirements: No fasting is required. However, other test done along with this may require it, hence check with your healthcare provider for the same.

Reference range:

Interpretation:

Increasing research on COVID-19 has shown that it not only affects respiratory system but also alters immune response, clotting mechanism in the body.

All of the above mentioned parameters are inflammatory markers. Abnormal levels in one or more than one of the parameters is question of concern. This could also be an indicator for infection that may become more severe or lead to mortality. Eg. It has been observed in research that patients with high D-dimer and high CRP have the greatest risk of adverse outcomes and even death. COVID-19 patients must seek immediate medical help if they experience any sudden chest pain or swelling or tenderness.