Local healthcare providers are the first line of treatment in a pandemic. They help control the spread of the condition and provide immediate care for people with severe conditions. They reduce the pressure on health systems by offering basic and preventive care during and after a pandemic.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the lives of many people and put great pressure on healthcare providers around the world. To properly control its effects, several guidelines have been made to increase the efficiency of doctors and nurses. These guidelines focus on the mental, social and physical health of people affected (directly or indirectly) by COVID-19.
COVID-19 TESTING FOR PATIENTS
COVID-19 testing at an urgent care center is a great option to determine if you have the virus from previous exposure or if your symptoms are the cause of COVID-19.
The new variants and sub-variants are highly contagious which means that patients may want to get a quick COVID-19 test at an urgent care center. Patients can simply visit an urgent care center right away as a walk-in patient without the need for an appointment.
DRUGS APPROVED FOR USE
- The U.S food and drug administration (FDA) can issue emergency issue authorizations (EUA) to permit local healthcare providers to use drugs that have not yet been approved, or have been authorized for other diseases, to treat people with COVID-19 in the United States if certain legal requirements are met.
- The National institutes of health (NIH) have created a treatment guidelines to instruct health care providers on how to care for people with COVID-19
TREATMENT RECOMMENDED BY CAREGIVERS OUTSIDE OF A MEDICAL OFFICE
Your doctor might recommend the following to improve symptoms and strengthen your body's natural defense:
- Using drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to improve fever.
- Drinking water or receiving intravenous fluids to stay hydrated.
- Get plenty of rest to strengthen your body.
If you have an underlying condition, your doctor might recommend extra treatment to prevent exacerbation. Some of these methods may not be potent against the omicron variant. Your healthcare provider will help you choose which method is best for your illness.
TREATMENT RECOMMENDED BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
The type of treatment coordinated after a follow up depends on the severity of your condition. Treatment is aimed at:
- Slowing the virus: Antiviral drugs are prescribed to reduce spread of virus to other areas of your body.
- Regulating an overactive immune response: In severe cases, your body's immune system may overreact when it is threatened by coronavirus. This can damage some vital organs and tissues.
- Preventing or treating complications: Coronavirus can damage some organs in the body, like the nose, eyes, brain, heart, lungs and the gastrointestinal organs. If you have any complications, extra treatment such as blood thinners to prevent or stop blood clotting are recommended.
You should follow every instruction given to you by your caregiver. They might not have all the answers, but they provide all the necessary treatments needed to control coronavirus.
