COVID-19 Flashcards
most frequent symptoms of COVID
fever
chills
sore throat** (more common with delta/omicron)
runny/stuffy nose**
new or worsening cough
fatigue & myalgia
headache
GI Symptoms
N/V/D
less frequent symptoms of COVID
- shortness of breath/difficulty breathign
- painful/ difficulty swallowing
- conjunctivitis
new or unusual exacerbation of chronic conditions
- delirium
- dec or loss of appetite
- new loss of smell/taste
rate COVID19 symptoms
skin manifestations
confusion
eye manifestations
before (2021) what were common COVID-19 symptoms
- fever
- cough
*shortnes of breath
- fatigue
- * loss of appetite, smell and/or taste (now less common)
differential diagnosis of COVID19
- main distinguishing factors is shortness of breath, lose of smell/taste, and duration (10-14 days)
*dry cough is seen across covid, viral rhinitis and influenza
lots of overlap with influenza -> runny nose uncommon in covid but common in influenza
descrieb the clinical presentation of COVID
- estimated incubation period is up to 14 days from time of exposure
- most cases occur 4-5 days after exposure
*omicron incubation appears shoter, symptoms appearing at 3 days
- severe illness typically begins 1 week after symptom onset
- dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is most common symptom of severe disease, often accompanied by hypoxemia (low blood O2)
COVID red flags
difficulty breathing
persistent chest pain or pressure
hemoptysis (spitting up blood)
confusion
- inabiltiy to wake or stay awake
- pale, gray, blue coloured skin, lips or nail beds (depending on ksin tone (hypoximia sign)
what are the risk factors for COVID
age
cancer
cardiomyopathy
chronic kidney disease
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
coronary artery disease
down syndrome
heart failure
immunocompromized from organ transpant
pregnance
severe obesity (BMI > 40)
sickle cell disease
smoking
Type 2 diabetes
transmission of COVID
- spreads mainly between poeple whoa re in close contact with eachother
- inhalation of resp droplets and aerosl particles
- deposition of resp droplets and particles on exposed mucous membranes by direct splashes and sprays
touching mucous membranes with hands that have been soiled
how long does COVId live on
plastic
stainless steel
paper
class
cardboard
wood
copper
plastic: 3-7 days
stainless steel: 3-7 days
paper: 3 hours
glass: 4 days
cardboard: up to 1 day
Wood: up to 2 days
Copper: up to 4 hours
counseling pints for covid
wahs hands
avoid/minimize use of shared spaces
practice physical distancing
disinfect surfaces
use dedicated eating utensils
avoid visitors
monitor health daily
*avoid the 3 Cs: Closed, crowed, and close
non pharm measures for covd
wash hands
avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
wear mask/face covering
cough/sneez itno bend of arm
= avoid sharing personal items w/ othrs
- disinfect surfaces at least daily
common covid myths
- only older people w/ serious underlying health conditions require hospitalization
- wearing a mask inc the aount fo CO2 you breathe in and makes you ill
- ibuprofen can worsen disease for people with COVID19
- Vitamin D can prevent and tret COVID
- drinking plenty of waer can flush COVID out
inj, swallowing, bathing in or rubing disinfectants, alcs or blech will protect you from covid
using NSAIDs for covid
- NSAIDs like indomethacin and naproxen found to ahve antiviral properties but also inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes and is thought to eb needed for optimal antibody synthesis
- recommend ibuprofen and acetaminophen for treatment of fever due to covid 10
- reasonable to avoid NSAIDs in older adults and those with comorbid conditions (CV disease, renal disease, chronic respiratory disease)
*no reason to believe that patients takinga rpescribed NSAID for a chornic pain condition shoudl stop taking that medication
flase info about nsaids and covid
- frances miniter of health in 2020 said that NSAIDs could be a factor in aggravating the COVID-19 infection
- backed by several scientists and senior dociors
- association was liekly due to cofounding variables, patients taking NSAIDs to treat comorbid conditions put them at risk for more severe COVID
- but was insufficient evidence
- large recent study found NSAIDs not associated with 30 day hospitalization, ICU aministration, mechanical vetilation, or renal relpacement therapy
famotidine for covid treatment
insufficient evidence for prevention of COVID-19
PPIs and covid
*may be an incerased risk of COVID among patients taking PPIs
- PPIs should only be recommended when indicated (lots of potential adverse effects
- patients without COVID that reuqire PPI shoudl not discontinue the medication, but should use the lowest dose posible
in patients with COVID decision to discontinue shoudl be made on case by case basis
*further study needed
omeprazole and covid
omeprazole may enhance the efficacy of improved treatments for COVID-19 (ramdesivir)
*needs more studies
CPC containing mouthwash and COVID
Cetylpyridinium chloride penetrates cell membranes causing cell components to leak - eventually eading to cell death
- CPC containing mouthwash may inactivate SARS-CoV-2
NOT currently enough evidence to recommend CPC containing mouthwashes, specifically for preventio/treatment of COVID
- patients should continue to follow good oral hygiene practices during pandemic to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease
saline and covid
- no evidence that regularly rinsing nose with salina has protected poeple from corona virus ifnection
- regular saline rinsing can help some recover more quickly from common cold, but regular rinsing not shown to prevent respiratory infections
Vitamin D and COVID
all individuals should maintain adequate vit D levels thru proper sun exposure, consumption of fortified products and/or by supplementing
- vitD supp should NOT be recommended specifically for purposes of preventing COVID-19
*NO evidence to recommend vit D as a treatment
Vitamin C and Zinc and covid
- should maintain adequate levels from food or supplements
- evidence does not support recommending vit C and/or zinc for treatment of COVID
*supplemnts can also cause adverse effects
*if patients insist, they can target their recommended dietary allowance of zinc and/or take Vit C 1000-2000mg daily
melatonin and COVID
despite small retrospective study and analysis, currently no good evidence from clinical traisl to support use of melatonin for COVID
what should you counsel on for COVID
Fever: measure daily
Oxygen levels
HR: High HR is an early indicator of hypoximia
- shortness of breath
- any other red falg symptoms
what is the pharamcists role in COVID
- educate on prevention measures
vaccinate against COVID-19, influenza
- appropriately assess and triage symptomatic patietns
- facilitate patient self care decisions
ensure existing conditions are well controlled
engage in continuity of care services
dispen common myths utilizing available evidence
recommend reliable resources for COVID-19 information
