[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Kelt

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Respiratory symptoms may be the hallmark of COVID-19, but the disease is affecting patients in other ways that we still don’t understand.

I found this article to be a good layperson overview of what we know so far. Explores some of the different physical systems being affected. My take away is that it’s a good idea for several reasons to monitor oxygen saturation.

If there’s any issue with the link it’s from the New Yorker. 4/29

Thanks, Kelt, for this. It's one of the better explanations (layman's terms) for what happens in the lungs during the COVID 19 disease process and clearly explains the methods and rationale we use to treat the insufficiencies that kill.

This is really, really scary, in that there is just so much physiological and medicinal options we, as providers, can offer to try to offset the damaging effects of hypoxia and hyporespiration (low oxygen/CO2 exchange in the blood and lungs). Nothing can make you feel more helpless, or hopeless for a physician, nurse or RT than having nothing more to offer.

It might be a good idea for those who are concerned about their possible exposure to COVID-19 to try to purchase a good pulse oximeter, a dependable thermometer and a battery operated blood pressure cuff. I keep these items here at home with me and have found them to be indispensable on more than one occasion. A pulse oximeter usually (before the pandemic) costs about $40 - $50 or more, depending on the brand and can be bought online or at places like WalMart, CVS, Walgreens, Target in the pharmacy departments. They are getting a bit harder to find, though, so you might want to stake out a number of outlets for periodic replenishing of these items.

~Theo~