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Special COVID-19 Issue #4

Get practical guidance in the COVID-19 toolkit

At the time this newsletter is being written, the number of COVID-19 cases across the globe is over 4 million, and there have been close to 300,000 deaths. The U.S. represents more than 1/3 of the confirmed infections and almost 1/3 of the fatalities.

Update on Symptoms | Signs | Risk Factors

The virus is mutating, and there are already 2 different strains. As the weeks have passed, there has also been a growing list of symptoms of the infection. In addition to the initial list of cough, fever, and shortness of breath, signs of the novel coronavirus now include:

  • extreme fatigue
  • nausea and vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of sense of taste and/or smell
  • frequent/persistent headaches, dizziness, confusion/disorientation, and even seizure
  • sore throat
  • muscle pain
  • chills/repeated shaking with chills
  • red or purple bumps on toes or hands, as well as a burning sensation, often with pain and tenderness (“COVID toes”)

Besides pulmonary complications, COVID-19 has also presented in other ways, such as heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, and clotting problems leading to stroke in younger (< 50 years old) patients than would be typical. And over the past two weeks, “pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome” has now been reported in children. Early symptoms include fever and rash, and a rapid deterioration to multi-organ failure and shock is possible. It appears to be a delayed, life-threatening reaction to COVID-19.

The list of factors putting an individual at risk of severe complications and death has also expanded. Besides age > 65, underlying chronic conditions, being in an immunocompromised state (either related to a medical condition, cancer treatment, or medications like prolonged steroid and biologics) or being a person of color, risks now include being a current or former smoker and being of the male gender.

The life you save may be your own. It may also be the lives of many others. 40 – 60% of individuals with the COVID-19 infection are asymptomatic. Which makes a virus that is very contagious and too often lethal that much more dangerous. Now that states have begun the reopening process, it is more important than ever to be vigilant and to stay informed. By taking all possible precautions, you increase your ability to reduce the risk of exposure, infection, and spread.

Healthcare Professionals | Health Systems | Hospitals

Healthcare Professionals – Emotional Health and Well-Being

Health Care Professionals | Health Systems – Organizational and Practice Management

Stay Informed | Proactively Prepare

This is one of several special editions of Take One & Call Me in the Morning, focused on COVID-19. It’s brought to you by InsightMD. Get all the resources and tips from previous newsletters here or view the COVID-19 resource toolkit.

Knowledge is power. Get the facts from the Centers for Disease Control.

Z. Colette Edwards, MD, MBA

Z. Colette Edwards, MD, MBA, leads Insight MD, a healthcare consultancy, which offers program design and implementation, targeted strategic planning and development, innovative product design, consultative data and clinical ROI analysis including benefit design and large claims analysis, health disparities/health literacy/cultural competency consultation, and PeopleTweaker, a coaching service line providing health, wellness, and life coaching and training in health coaching techniques for health professionals and support staff.

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