May 23, 2021 / View as Webpage
Happy World Turtle Day 2021
American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, is sponsoring our annual World Turtle Day® on May 23.
The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.
 
Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of ATR and World Turtle Day, advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles. Since 1990, ATR has placed about 4,000 tortoises and turtles in caring homes. ATR assists law enforcement when undersize or endangered turtles are confiscated and provides helpful information and referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles.
 
We Offer Telehealth And In-office Visits During The
COVID-19 Pandemic.
Please Call Us If You Need Medical Assistance.
480.614.5800
We Are Here For You!
Your Weekly COVID-19 Updates
Paradise Valley Medical Clinic, Douglas M Lakin MD
9977 N 90th Street, Suite 180, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.614.5800 (phone), 480.614.6322 (Fax)
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT AS IT IS OF
IMPORTANCE TO ALL PATIENTS

"We will be emailing you weekly during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC. We will provide you with the latest information and instructions to deal with the current outbreak as it develops in Phoenix."
PVMC COVID-19 OFFICE APPOINTMENT PRE-SCREENING
QUESTIONNAIRE
**EFFECTIVE 3/8/2021:
IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED 2 COVID-19
VACCINATIONS OF PFIZER-BioNTech OR MODERNA OR 1 COVID-19
VACCINATION OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND ARE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS OUT, NO NEED TO COMPLETE OUR QUESTIONNAIRE.
PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
ATTN PATIENTS:
Dr Lakin is using FaceTime ,
WhatsApp and Zoom to connect with you
for a 'Telehealth' visit. You can connect using your iPad, iPhone, Android phone, a laptop, or a PC with a camera.

Please watch these videos so you can be prepared and know how to connect with Dr Lakin for a 'Telehealth' visit.

CLICK ON THE PICTURES
FROM THE DOC
 ARIZONA REMAINS FLAT…. VERY LOW. SURGING IS POSSIBLE IN THEORY, BUT IT REMAINS UNCERTAIN IF THIS WILL OCCUR IN ARIZONA.
 
IF YOU ARE VACCINATED 
 YOU ARE PROTECTED AGAINST ALL KNOWN VARIANTS AND ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO YOU WITHOUT MASKING.  EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND AIRPLANE TRAVEL……. USE YOUR BEST MASK IN THOSE SETTINGS.  PUBLIC ARENAS…. USE YOUR BEST MASK.
 
IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND YOU WERE TO GET COVID IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE A MILD ILLNESS. THE RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS IS VERY VERY REMOTE. THERE IS NO WORRY IN THIS SITUATION.
 
TESTING FOR COVID IN PATIENTS WHO ARE VACCINATED IS OF UNCERTAIN USEFULNESS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY EXPOSED TO A KNOWN CASE OF COVID AND THEN DEVELOP SYMPTOMS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH COVID.  IF THOSE CONDITIONS HOLD, THEN TESTING FOR COVID MAKES SENSE.
TESTING CAN BE DONE HERE:
  
TESTING SHOULD BE DONE AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR BY A SELF TEST FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY. YOU MAY PREPURCHASE A HOME TEST KIT FROM AMAZON FOR $24.95 FOR A BOX OF 2 TESTS.
 
COVID ANTIBODY TESTING IS NOT REQUIRED IN GENERAL, BUT IF YOU ARE ON IMMUNE SUPPRESSING MEDICATION FOR CANCER TREATMENT, ARTHRITIS TREATMENT, GI TREATMENT OR SKIN TREATMENT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ANTIBODY TESTING TO CONFIRM YOUR IMMUNIZATION WAS EFFECTIVE.
  
FOR THE UNVACCINATED:
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO MASK IN ALL SETTINGS AND PREPARE TO GET COVID.  ULTIMATELY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF NONVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS WILL GET COVID.
   
 
 MARICOPA COUNTY IS STABLE AND LOW. 
 
THE OPERATIVE MODEL IS 'POPCORN'……EACH STATE POPPING LIKE A CORN KERNEL AT ITS OWN PLACE AND TIME.
 
WILL ARIZONA ‘POP’? WE DON’T KNOW.  CONTINUING
TO MONITOR REGULARLY FOR INDICATIONS IS THE ONLY WAY TO IDENTIFY THE TIMING. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO EVIDENCE WE ARE SURGING ANY TIME SOON.
 
RIGHT NOW, ARIZONA IS LOW RISK FOR VACCINATED ADULTS AND VACCINATED PEOPLE SHOULD GET OUT AND ABOUT. …. GET ACTIVE AND GET OUT! 
  
I AGREE WITH THE CDC RECOMMENDATION FOR VACCINATION OF 12-15 YEAR OLDS. THIS IS SAFE AND IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THEIR RISKS AND THE FAMILIES' RISK OF INFECTION.
   
 PLEASE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO GET VACCINATED NOW! IF THEY DO NOT GET VACCINATED, THEY WILL GET COVID AT SOME POINT.
  
WE ARE NO LONGER TESTING IN THE OFFICE FOR COVID EXPOSURE OR ILLNESS, BUT RATHER YOU SHOULD TEST AT A FACILITY OR DO A SELF TEST PURCHASED FROM A PHARMACY OR AMAZON.
TESTING LOCATIONS CAN ALSO BE FOUND HERE:

IN ARIZONA:
FLU SEASON IS OVER….NO MORE FLU. IT WILL BE BACK IN THE FALL…PERHAPS SOME IN THE SUMMER.
 
 
COVID IMMUNIZATION:
PFIZER, MODERNA ARE PROCEEDING AT HIGH LEVELS…BUT DECLINING.  THESE VACCINES ARE AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE…VIRTUALLY 100% IN PREVENTING HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH FROM COVID…ALL OF THEM. THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES. 
 
THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE IS BACK ONLINE AFTER THE ‘HOLD’ DUE TO 1 IN 300,000 CLOTTING RISKS IN YOUNGER WOMEN SPECIFICALLY (UNDER 55).  GENERAL SAFETY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. 
I RECOMMEND THE J & J FOR MEN OF ALL AGES AND FOR WOMEN OVER 65 YEARS OLD.   
 
POSSIBLE COVID VACCINE SEVERE
ALLERGIC REACTIONS:
OCCURRING AT A RATE OF
1 IN 50,000 (VERY LOW)
YOU SHOULD PLAN ON PROCEEDING WITH IMMUNIZATION UNLESS YOU HAVE A KNOWN ALLERGY TO PEG (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL) …. A COMPONENT OF THE CARRIER IN THE VACCINES.
  
PERSONAL INTERACTIONS IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE COVID VACCINATION:
FOLLOW ALL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS 100%.   COVID IS MUCH LOWER CURRENTLY.   REDUCING RISK IS NOT THE SAME AS ELIMINATING RISK.  THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK WHO ARE UNVACCINATED SHOULD NOT BE TAKING ANY CHANCES, PERIOD!
 
 
 PERSONAL INTERACTIONS WITH ONE VACCINE DOSE…. AWAITING YOUR SECOND (PFIZER/MODERNA):
14 DAYS AFTER YOUR FIRST VACCINE DOSE YOU ARE ~50% PROTECTED FROM MILD/MODERATE COVID INFECTIONS GENERALLY AND ~72% PROTECTED FROM SERIOUS COVID INFECTIONS. FOLLOW ALL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS 
 
 PERSONAL INTERACTIONS 14 DAYS AFTER YOUR SECOND COVID VACCINE (PFIZER/MODERNA) OR AFTER J&J VACCINE:
IF YOU HAVE HAD 2 VACCINE DOSES (OR 1 DOSE OF J&J) AND IF YOU ARE 14 DAYS BEYOND YOUR SECOND DOSE, THEN YOU ARE ~95% PROTECTED FROM GETTING MILD/MODERATE COVID, AND VIRTUALLY 100% PROTECTED FROM GETTING SEVERE COVID.  YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MORE INTERACTIONS AND OUTINGS IN THE COMMUNITY BUT FOLLOW GENERAL MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS.
  
YOU CAN SEE DAILY TRENDS FOR ARIZONA AND THE U.S. HERE, ON THE CDC WEBSITE…JUST CHOOSE ‘ARIZONA’ FROM THE LIST.
 
 
To monitor the curse of COVID in Maricopa County, go to: https://covidactnow.org    
TOP PODCAST DONE WEEKLY
BY DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM
(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA)  
 
He is a world-renowned epidemiologist who was credited with first elucidating TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME in the 1980’s.
He provides comprehensive and understandable/actionable ideas related to COVID.

Here is Dr. Osterholm Update Podcast, (5/20/2021):


"From Checkers to Chess"

In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss updates from around the world, remarkable declines across much of the US, the CDC's updated guidance related to masks, and considerations for maintaining public health credibility.

According to Dr. Osterholm……
This week is like last week’s podcast…no real changes in expectations.
 
Internationally, COVID is surging at high rates and countries in Europe, South America, and Asia are seeing rampant infection, and they do not have the benefits of high-level vaccination rates. The International scene will remain difficult for some time. The situation in India is unfortunate.
 
Surges are still possible in all states despite vaccination efforts and there are still a lot of people who are not vaccinated, and they are susceptible to infection. We might see surges in the future, in different states at different times.   Mother Nature will determine the time and place, but if you are vaccinated, then you are well protected.
 
Encourage 1 or 2 people you know to get vaccinated.  If you can persuade one or two people in a comfortable way, please do so.  
 
The decline of COVID 19 in the US was due to factors we do not understand about the virus and which we are just learning about. Clearly the virus infection occurs in cycles. We are at a low level, but that will change at some point…. we do not know when so we will monitor and inform.
 
VACCINE:    
 
PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES SHOW EXCELLENT RESPONSE RATES IN THE 95% RANGE…. SIMILAR TO IMMUNIZATIONS LIKE POLIO AND MEASLES…THEY ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.
 
THIS IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT AND RIVALS THE POLIO VACCINE AS A GAME-CHANGER.
 
THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE SHOWS EXCELLENT RESULTS WITH SEVERE DISEASE, DEATH, AND HOSPITALIZATION…. EFFECTIVE IN THE 90+% RANGE.  FOR MILD DISEASE IT IS LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES, BUT THIS IS ONLY ONE SHOT, DOES NOT HAVE TO BE KEPT FROZEN SO NO CONCERNS ABOUT IT’S CHAIN OF CUSTODY, WHICH IS A CONSIDERATION AS WELL.

ALL STUDIES ARE ‘DOUBLE BLIND……PATIENT AND DOCTOR DO NOT KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION OR PLACEBO….AND PLACEBO CONTROLLED……1/2 THE DOSES ARE INACTIVE….’ THIS IS HIGH SCIENCE AND INFORMATION WE CAN FEEL CONFIDENT IN.  SINCE THE DOCTORS AND PARTICIPANTS DO NOT KNOW WHO IS GETTING WHAT…. AN INDEPENDENT BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE VACCINE UNDER STUDY. THIS IS HOW SUCH TRIALS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK AND IT IS REASSURING, NOT DISHEARTENING, THAT THEY ARE PROCEEDING IN THIS MANNER. THIS IS REASON FOR CONFIDENCE…. NOT DISAPPOINTMENT!
 
ANTIBODY BLOOD TESTING IN OUR OFFICE, AT SONORA QUEST WITH THE EUROIMMUN TEST, IS EXTREMELY ACCURATE.  
 
Nasal testing for acute COVID infection is available at the office. Feel free to check your COVID if you have any reason for concern.
 
Alternative testing sites will be listed weekly and expanded. You can find them on our website on the rotating screen and the list is linked below as well. 
 
LOCATIONS FOR COVID TESTING OTHER THAN OUR OFFICE…SEE OUR UPDATED LIST:
 
LATE NIGHT TESTING AT NEXTCARE FACILITIES IS A CONSIDERATION. HERE IS THE LINK:
 
Know that our office is responding to COVID, and we are here to help. Reach out for assistance if you are not feeling well. We will develop a plan of action for you to move forward.
 
Yours in good health,
Dr. Lakin
 
 
RECOMMENDED LINKS IN THIS NEWSLETTER AND IN GENERAL FOR COVID INFORMATION:
 
INTERNET SITES WITH BEST INFORMATION:
 
Risks with different activities…how to gauge risk:
 
Accurate US statistics by age on COVID infections:
 
What we can expect of COVID in next 1 year:
 
Can follow here for ARIZONA UPDATES DAILY and best trending information to know what is out in the community:
 
Most informative graphics:
 
Get your Mask up to N95 Level:
 
If you have symptoms of COVID…. you can run through a simple checklist on-line to see if you should be concerned:
 
Understanding the various vaccines under development

After you received your COVID vaccination,
please let us know!
We would like to document this information into your chart.

**We only document vaccinations that are received/given, not future appointments. Please be sure to send us again the second dose information after you get it!
BUT FIRST.......
PLEASE COMPLETE THE INFORMATION ON THE CARD BEFORE YOU SEND IT TO US!
What we need:
  1. Your name
  2. Date vaccination received
  3. Brand name
  4. Lot number if available.

**Email your COVID vaccine completed info HERE
...........Thank you
May 13, 2021: New CDC Guidelines For People Fully Vaccinated Against Covid-19
May 20, 2021

CDC Report Ranks Arizona First for COVID-19 Vaccination in Smaller Rural Counties
Arizona ranks ahead of every other state for its percentage of adults vaccinated against COVID-19 in smaller rural counties, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that 59% of those 18 and older in Navajo, Apache, Gila, Santa Cruz, Graham, La Paz, and Greenlee counties had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of April 10. That’s 156,182 individuals.

“Arizona’s ranking among rural counties calls attention not just to the strong vaccination efforts of our tribal nations but to the good work of local public health departments in these areas,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “Local authorities are the boots on the ground for public health in Arizona and have worked diligently to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine will have the greatest impact.”
May 13, 2021

State Sites Will Start Vaccinating Ages 12 to 15 Today!
Walk-ins are welcome at seven state-run locations in Phoenix area, Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff

Arizona-run vaccination sites in the Phoenix area, Tucson, Yuma, and Flagstaff, along with many pharmacies and other providers around the state, will begin offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to children 12 to 15 years old on Thursday, May 13.

This exciting step forward follows today’s approval by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “This is great news for families across Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “In addition to encouraging parents and guardians to protect those ages 12 to 15 from COVID-19, we hope adults in the family will roll up their sleeves as well if they haven’t already done so.”

Arizona has nearly 400,000 children ages 12 to 15. To date, 5,408,077 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to 3,076,913 individuals, with 2,534,272 now fully vaccinated.
POP UP COMING VACCINATION EVENTS
Pop up events are by appointment only. You must be 18 years of age or older to receive the vaccine. Please come prepared with a face mask, official photo ID, and insurance card if you have one.
We will keep you informed as they are scheduled across the Valley.

TRUSTED SOURCES
QUESTIONS
All information requests related to Maricopa County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic should be directed to the Joint Information Center using the email address caomedia@maricopa.gov.

If you would like to get
updates on vaccine events, you can
Vaccine Finder Information & Tips:
Costco has appointments periodically.
Their appointments fill up very quickly, but if you are looking for COVID vaccine at a Costco near you, check out this site frequently!
A tool to help you track down COVID-19 vaccine appointment openings at your state's pharmacies. Updated every minute.
Maricopa County Covid-19 Vaccine Data

Key takeaways from this week’s data (as of 5/18/2021):
  • Over 3.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to Maricopa County residents!
  • 41% of all Maricopa County residents and 47% of Maricopa County residents 10 years and older have received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
  • 47% of all vaccine doses given have been those that completed the vaccine series for a Maricopa County resident (i.e., the 1st dose of a 1-dose series or the 2nd dose of a 2-dose series).
  • Over 6,400 adolescents 12–15 years old got their first dose of Pfizer vaccine in the 4 days after ACIP and FDA approved it for use in this age group!
Data update (as of 5/18/2021):
  • Now that adolescents 12–15 years old are approved to receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, the 10–14 year-old population has been added into the vaccine eligible population totals.
  • Why did you add 10–14 year-olds when only adolescents 12–15 years old were approved to get vaccinated?
  • ADHS population and 2020 Census estimate data are available only in 5-year increments. Adding the 10–14 year-old population to the eligible population totals is the best way to understand what proportion of the eligible population is getting vaccinated.
  • How does this affect comparing the data between this week and last week?
  • The percent of the eligible population vaccinated this week compared to last week will be smaller, because we have added a new group of people to the population who is now eligible to get vaccinated.
  • You can compare any data about the number of doses given or percent of the total population vaccinated, because the change in the eligible population doesn’t affect these data or calculations.
Register For The COVID-19 Vaccination
On the AZDHS Website:

This will walk users through the process to register for COVID-19 Vaccine appointments using the https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov​​ website.
For More Information From Maricopa County
Pre-screening COVID-19 Vaccine Procedure & locations, Click the Links Here:


THOSE WITHOUT COMPUTER ACCESS OR NEED EXTRA HELP REGISTERING CALL 1-844-542-8201
Share Your Vaccination Status By Wearing An ImmunaBand Around Your Wrist
ACCESS YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION 
CARD VIA A UNIQUE QR CODE

ImmunaBand is committed to helping defeat the pandemic. Our contribution is to produce a visible outward symbol of the inner immunity you achieve by taking the vaccine.
"Updated Mask Policy In Our Office!"
At our office, we are continuing to follow CDC Updated Guidelines and will strive for ways to keep our patients and staff safe.

We require that all unvaccinated patients and visitors entering our office cover their nose and mouth at all times.

Masks have been shown to decrease the spread of coronavirus from infected people, even those who do not have symptoms.

We have a limited supply of paper mask and will make these available to patients while they last, however, we strongly encourage you to bring your own facial covering.
 
How to Protect Yourself & Others
Important Ways to Slow the Spread
A Mask With More Room
To Breathe Solution
Stop your mask from falling down and never get another mouthful of fabric while you talk! Our Face Mask Support Frames create a pocket of space between your face and your mask that improves comfort, breath-ability, and communication.
Survey: How comfortable do you feel about the new CDC recommendations for facial masks?
Not comfortable removing the mask mandate yet!
Agree with no mask needed outdoors, but feel still should wear indoors.
OK with the new gudielines except in large indoor activities.
OK and feel the masks are not neccessary now for vaccinated people.
Glad to be rid of masks... No need to wear them anymore.
We Are Here to Take Care of Your Healthcare Needs.
We Are Here to Serve!
 
Our office is using all techniques to reduce exposure to a minimum during your visit. These include: 
·       Temperature checks of all patients and staff.
·       Masks for all people in the office.
·       Cleansing of hands and surfaces repeatedly.
·       Multiple Super-HEPA filters to filter out potential virus and particles in the office.
·       High Level UV light air cleansing in the office to eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air.
  
OUR UPDATED OFFICE SCHEDULE

DOORS OPEN     
7AM - 4PM Monday through Thursday
7AM - 11AM Friday
 
IN OFFICE
APPOINTMENTS: MONDAY – THURSDAY
7AM – 11:15AM & 1PM – 3:30PM
 
APPOINTMENTS: FRIDAY
7AM – 10:30 AM

DR. LAKIN WILL CONTINUE ‘TELEHEALTH’ VISITS WITH FaceTime, WhatsApp or ZOOM WHEN NEEDED.

 
   COVID-19 SUMMARY:
 
REDUCE RISK BY REDUCING CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS
 
REDUCE CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS BY:
1.   Washing hands frequently….20 seconds is advised, but any hand washing is helpful.
2.   Wear a mask or face covering when out in public.
3.   Use hand cleanser in between washings…if available.
4.   Clean your cell phone daily with a cleansing wipe or UV light.
5.   Shower or bathe daily.  Twice daily if you want to feel more relaxed.
6.   Do not Pick Nose, Rub Eyes, or Pick Teeth with your fingers
7.   Do not go out or to work if you are ill…. or think you are ill.  If you are unsure, check your temperature. If over 99.8 you should not be going out.
8.   If someone in your house is ill, treat them as though they have COVID.  Have them get tested and you should quarantine as well.
9.   Stay away from people who are sick with COVID. Only caregivers should be in contact with COVID patients and they practice high level cleaning to prevent spread.
10. Maintain physical distancing practices, avoid getting within 6 feet of people (other than immediate household occupants)
11. Limit your activities to the minimum interactions you can do to maintain your daily living.
12. Leave mail and other paper products for one to two days on the shelf or in the garage (outside the house) …then bring them in after sitting for 24-48 hours to reduce the potential for transmission.
13.  Groceries cleaning should be considered, although not as strict as initially indicated when the pandemic began.   See this video link for excellent detailed information:  Click Here
 
IF YOU ARE SYMPTOMATIC AND HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU MAY HAVE COVID ……BUT TESTING HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET …….DO AS FOLLOWS:
·        Self-Quarantine for 14 days from the start of illness and FOR at least 3 days after fever and major symptoms have resolved. 
·        Do not share a bathroom with housemates if possible. Use your own bathroom.
·        Do not share utensils with others and clean your own utensils and/or use paper/disposable eating materials.
·        Wait 1 day to wash the clothing you wear. Clothing can be washed after sitting out for 24 hours (virus is not transmissible at that point via clothing).   Others can wash your clothes using this approach.
·        Avoid sharing living spaces with housemates, to the extent your living situations allows.
·        Wash your hands frequently. Use cleanser on surfaces frequently.
·        Wear a mask & gloves when in the presence of others. Wear when you are with others as much as possible.
·        Shower/bathe twice daily if possible.
·        All household contacts should self-quarantine as well with only minimal outside interaction.
 
MORE EXPANSIVE TESTING IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN OUR OFFICE. 
It is being done at the end of the day, in your car, by myself…. wearing protective gear. 
IF YOU ARE ILL AND CONCERNED YOU MAY HAVE COVID INFECTION OR SIGNIFICANT COVID EXPOSURE:
Contact the office via phone or email first for instructions:
480-614-5800
 
Please do not walk into our office if you think you have COVID infection. We will not see you in the office. Only in your car, and with that, you should contact the office to be seen at the end of the day.
If you think you have COVID and are truly short of breath, you need to go to the Emergency Room, not to our office. We are not equipped to handle low oxygen levels.
 
COVID KIT:
 
This is what you should have at home to prepare for possible COVID, to monitor yourself if you were to get infected:
 
DIGITAL ORAL THERMOMETER: MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:
 
PULSE OXIMETER:  TO CHECK OXYGEN LEVELS. MANY BRANDS ARE FINE...HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:
 
 
OTHER ITEMS FROM THE HOME MEDICAL KIT:
 
·       TYLENOL, ADVIL, OR ALEVE
·       Sudafed 30mg tablets
·       Chlorpheniramine 4mg tablets
·       Robitussin DM syrup
·       Imodium AD
 
COVID COURSE:
 
THREE PHASES OF COVID:
·       JAILBIRD Day 1-10
·       PAROLE BIRD 11-17
·       FREE BIRD 17+
       
JAILBIRD:  STRICT QUARANTINE...... 10 DAYS FROM DATE OF FIRST SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS IF OBVIOUS OR FROM DATE OF TESTING IF UNCERTAIN BASED ON SYMPTOMS
 
PAROLE BIRD: DAY 11-17…. VERY CAREFUL WITH ALL ATTENTION TO MASKING, DISTANCING, HAND CLEANSING: NEXT 7 DAYS AFTER QUARANTINE
 
FREE BIRD: DAY 17 AND BEYOND.... NO RESTRICTIONS.
Although I do not recommend testing to prove the virus has cleared after infection, if you have testing and are clear, then the above protocol is not applied.
 
CARING FOR YOURSELF IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE COVID OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID:
Most Common Symptoms
They consist of the same set of symptoms as the common cold/rival respiratory syndrome, but they are worse.
 
Common/Hallmark symptoms:
·        High fever (over 100.4, but can range from 99’s to 104+)
·        Fatigue
·        Cough
 
Other symptoms can include milder issues:
·        Loss of Smell and/or Taste
·        Nausea without Vomiting
·        Sore Throat
·        Aching muscles throughout the body
·        Headache
·        Occasional diarrhea …
·        Nasal congestion (occasional)
 
TREATMENT:
Symptomatic treatment for the most bothersome symptoms
 
·       Plan to: Monitor temperature twice daily and record.  
·       Monitor oxygen levels twice daily and record. If dropping
significantly you should be in touch.
 
For the oxygen/Temperature:
 
  1. Check your temperature twice daily and keep a log. No temperature is dangerous…adults do not have to worry about this. This is just about monitoring your condition. If you have concerns, be in touch.
 
2.     Check oxygen level twice daily and keep a log. A declining oxygen level can indicate early de-compensation from COVID.  Normal oxygen saturation is 97-100%.   If lower than that it may be normal for you, but the trend is what matters.  If you are declining into the low 90’s, if you are feeling particularly short of breath…then it is time to check at the Emergency Room (which is safe to do!)   If you have concerns…be in touch.
 
 
Aches and Pains and Fever:
·        Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day is preferred for treating these symptoms, but if not working well, you may use:
·         Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets...1 – 2 x per day,
·        Drink good amounts of clear liquids (anything you can see through)
 
Sore Throat:
·        Saltwater gargling
1.   Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
2.   Gargle for 15 seconds and spit.
3.   Repeat during the day every 2 – 4 hours to relieve pain.
·        Pain relief medications: Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets...1 – 2 x per day, or Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day.
 
 
Cough:
·        Steam: Either in the form of a hot, steamy shower or using a hot pot of water and covering with a towel and put your head under the towel. Both methods will provide humid air to the irritated air passages and soothe the cough.
·        Cough Syrup: Robitussin DM or Delsym cough syrup can be used to suppress cough.
·        You may require a prescription cough syrup with Codeine.  Contact me if that is the case.
 
 
Sinus Congestion and Drainage (RARE SYMPTOM):
·        Use a decongestant such as Sudafed 30mg, 1 – 2 pills up to four times per day, or use a drying antihistamine such as Chlortrimeton 4mg, up to four times per day. Other cold medications (over the counter) can be used.
·        Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra will not work for congestion symptoms from an infection. Do Not Use.
 
 
Nausea Treatment:
This is the most difficult issue to treat at home as there is very little one can do to settle the stomach. Coca-Cola with the carbonation eliminated (Flat Coke), Ginger Ale, or Ginger Root…. can be tried, but these are often inadequate, and the key to getting the stomach to settle is getting a good nausea medication.
 
If nausea is persistent, then calling for a prescription medication is often a good idea. Phenergan (Promethazine), Compazine (prochlorperazine), Zofran (Ondansetron) are very effective in treatment.  Sometimes we use them in combination either as a pill or a suppository.
 
The KEYS are:
 
1.   Settling the Stomach…so that liquids can be taken
2.   Focusing on Liquids…so that dehydration does not set in
3.   Eating light foods… if possible (to provide energy for healing). This is not a requirement for healing from an acute GI illness; so, do not feel that the sick person needs to eat food. The only requirement is liquid intake!
 
When to Seek Medical Assistance
•          There is no medication to treat this virus, so the resolution takes time.
Worsening symptoms/Signs of Complications:
•          If you are getting significantly short of breath please be in touch.  If progressive and worsening, you need to be seen and possibly hospitalized.  Best to go the ER if shortness of breath is a significant symptom
 
How Long to Recover
•          The COVID is a viral infection that will generally take from 3–7 days to develop, 3-7 days to improve and then from 3-7 days to completely resolve.

Stay Safe!
Enjoy 'Turnip'. . . .
The Tortoise Loves Shower Time at the Tennessee Aquarium. . .
Did you know?
The Radiated Tortoise is known for this "dancing" behavior during periods of heavy rain in its native range (dry areas of southern Madagascar).

Happy World Turtle Day!