COVID-19 is a concern for everyone. But patients with respiratory illnesses are among those at highest risk of contracting this virus—or developing a bad case of it. Louis R. DePalo, MD, Clinical Director of the Mount Sinai-National Jewish Respiratory Institute, shares information that respiratory patients and their loved ones need to know about COVID-19.
How can patients and caregivers protect themselves?
To protect yourself, you should follow the guidelines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes thorough handwashing, social distancing, avoiding groups of more than 10 people, and trying not to touch your hands to your face.
If you or a loved one has a chronic lung disease, here are some additional things you can do to keep safe:
- Screen any visitors or health aides who come into your home. Ask them if they are sick or if they have a fever. Check whether they’ve traveled to one of the COVID-19 hotspots. And ask if they’ve had contact with a COVID-19 patient. If someone answers yes to these questions, you may want to limit their access to your home.
- Make sure that you have a robust supply of all the medications and durable equipment that you need.
What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?
The symptoms to worry about are cough, fever, chest congestion, and sore throat. If you or a loved one has these symptoms, you should contact your health care provider. This does not mean to go immediately to the hospital. Instead, take an inventory of your symptoms and contact your doctor. Telemedicine can be a good way to start the conversation. Together, you and your doctor can decide if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
If I need to be tested, what should I do?
Once you and your doctor have decided that you should be tested, your doctor can help you determine where to go. This may be a hospital or a doctor’s office. You want to minimize your travel to the testing facility and wear a face mask, if you have one, to expose as few people as possible. And you should let the facility know you are coming.
Should I keep antibiotics and other medications in the house in case I develop COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a viral disease. It does not respond to antibiotics. You do not need to have antibiotics around to treat COVID-19. But if you or a loved one is susceptible to developing infections for other reasons, that may be a different story. If you are in quarantine and worry that you might not be able to get out to obtain a needed antibiotic, you should discuss this with your primary care doctor.
The same thing could be true for someone with asthma. If you worry about getting sick and not having enough steroids, talk with your doctor. However, do not use systemic corticosteroids to treat COVID-19. Your doctor can advise you on the best approach.
What do I do if I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled?
You should not assume you have to go in for a scheduled doctor’s appointment. Contact your health care provider to find out if you should keep your appointment. For instance, if you are going in for a diagnostic test, it may not be available because of strains on health care facilities. Your doctor will advise you what to do in this case.
If you have a routine medical appointment, there may be other ways to receive your care or consultation. Many health systems are moving toward telemedicine, to help patients and providers maintain social distance. Telemedicine means communicating remotely with your doctor by video conferencing, texting, or other means. For example, Mount Sinai offers a variety of telehealth services at Mount Sinai Now®.
If you need a critical therapeutic medical visit, it may be a different issue. You and your doctor should talk to weigh the pros and cons of a visit. If, for instance, you would be going in for a biological infusion, you want to weigh the risk of coming into contact with people against the risk of missing a medication that is considered therapeutic. Your doctor can advise you best.