Home » News » Family doctor about Chinese infection: Now is the flu season, SARS. There is no time for coronavirus

Family doctor about Chinese infection: Now is the flu season, SARS. There is no time for coronavirus

“KP” in Ukraine “found out whether hospitals are ready to fight against coronavirus.

As “KP” in Ukraine said “freelance expert of the Ministry of Health Olga Golubovskaya: everything that we talk about coronavirus now is relevant only now. Two days ago, there were about 2 thousand people with pneumonia caused by the Chinese virus, including 80 dead. But already Now these numbers have changed significantly: 4474 cases of infection, 107 fatal and 63 cases of recovery.

So far, the Chinese virus has not reached Ukraine. But being fully armed will not hinder anyone. “KP” in Ukraine “found out what is being done in our hospitals in case of a possible coronavirus disease.

– Alla, Elena Ivanovna? – I’m calling one of the Kiev family doctors to find out what the specialists in ordinary out-patient clinics think about the situation. – How are things in the medical circle regarding the acclaimed Chinese virus?

– Now is the flu season, SARS. A large influx of patients. It’s not up to the coronavirus, ”my interlocutor sighs.

– No, well, maybe there was some kind of newsletter from the Ministry of Health with recommendations? Or special meetings at the hospital? Still, thousands of people get sick, planes with tourists fly to us a couple of times a week from China

“Wait, I’ll call you back,” the doctor is distracted by the appointment and calls me back in half an hour. – Yes, I looked at the mail, the mailing was. Nothing supernatural. General recommendations from WHO, which are sent annually: do not forget to drink enough water, dress warmly, eat well, wash your hands, and do not touch your face again … Our patients probably know them by heart.

– Clear. What about flu tests? I ask. – Experts say that symptomatically the coronavirus is similar to the flu. Do you direct patients to do such tests?

“Well, how can I tell you,” the family doctor continues. – Most patients are treated with symptoms of SARS: fever, cough, rhinitis, sore throat, etc. If they are not complicated, we treat on an outpatient basis. If the patient’s condition is very serious – fever, fever, then we are sent to an infectious diseases hospital. And already there, in the laboratories, specialists do tests for flu or other viruses.

– And what do these tests look like? What kind of tests do they take?

“A colored test strip with reagents,” the doctor says. – A nasal swab is taken from the patient. 10 minutes – and the result is ready. The test responds to all known strains of influenza virus type B and A.

– And yet, none of the higher structures mentioned a word about coronavirus? That it is worth paying attention to patients who have recently traveled, were in China? I clarify again.

“Unfortunately, I will tell you this: until the virus got to us in a serious way, that is, concrete confirmed cases did not appear, there will not be any special information and recommendations,” my interlocutor notes.

OFFICIALLY

As stated at a briefing by the Ministry of Health, the agency sent WHO recommendations to all public health institutions. They indicate the contacts of persons with whom doctors can consult, and institutions where you can turn for help if the patient suspects infection with coronavirus.

“At the national level, an order has been signed to create an operational headquarters at the Ministry of Health,” the acting head said during a briefing. Director of the Center for Public Health Igor Kuzin. – Detailed instructions for regional laboratory centers on how to act in case of infection of patients with coronavirus are also approved. By the end of the day, we will send instructions to medical practitioners. This will be a checklist for patients who are suspected of being infected with coronavirus and need specialist advice.

According to experts from the Ministry of Health, Ukraine has not yet recorded cases of coronavirus infection from China. Nevertheless, authorities are negotiating the receipt of special test kits from the United States, with which you can determine the presence of coronavirus in patients.

“The Center for Public Health knows only 4 cases of suspicion of patients being infected with a coronavirus,” says Sergei Dubrov, an anesthetist and member of the expert group of the operational headquarters of the Ministry of Health. – They all did not receive confirmation. Type A and B viruses were found in patients. Diagnostics was performed using rapid tests. Now in Ukraine, as in all other countries except the USA, there are no special systems for determining exactly the coronavirus. But we hope that already next week or a little later we will receive such sets.

IMPORTANT!

Five myths about adversity

Due to poor awareness of both the doctors themselves and patients, the myths associated with coronavirus are circulating among the people. We disassembled the five most popular.

Myth 1: immunomodulators will save everyone

There is no convincing evidence that these drugs increase the protective functions of the body. But enough is known about side effects. Immunomodulators give an extra load on the liver, can provoke allergic reactions and malfunctions from the gastrointestinal tract.

Myth 2: coronavirus provokes fatal pneumonia

This is true. But, according to the latest data, only 17% of patients were diagnosed with pneumonia. At risk are people over 60, children, as well as patients with chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, cancer.

Myth 3: the vaccine has already been found

Amid the panic that swept the world, there were scammers who wanted to earn extra money. So, on the OLX online classifieds site, someone is selling a vaccine against Chinese coronavirus for 2.5 thousand hryvnias. The owner of the miracle cure lives in Kharkov. But I’m ready to send the vaccine to anywhere in Ukraine.

Do not respond to such ads. Chinese scientists, along with colleagues from other countries, are indeed developing the vaccine. But so far, neither the Ministry of Health, nor the international medical community have confirmed the effectiveness of any of them.

Myth 4: you can get infected from packages from China

The probability that the virus can exist outside the body of mammals for more than 2 days is negligible. In addition, the virus does not last long in the environment on the surfaces. So there is nothing to worry about. Unless, of course, the infected live bat was sent to you in the package.

Myth 5: flu shots will increase protection against coronavirus

The epidemic season continues in Ukraine, and the vaccine can protect you from serious complications associated with the flu. All this has nothing to do with coronavirus.

READ ALSO

Ukrainian student in China: No one called from the embassy; if the situation becomes dangerous, I’ll leave

Dmitry Yatskovsky himself thinks out ways to evacuate from the country affected by the epidemic.

– .

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.