By March 20, 2020
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, belongs in the family of coronaviruses. This is one of the seven types of coronaviruses, a type of coronavirus that causes respiratory problems in humans.
Like the viruses, MERS and SARS, COVID-19 may have likely evolved from viruses within animals. It causes flu or colds-like symptoms in people and poses a serious health threat.
The incubation period of COVID-19 is about 5 days; although some people have experienced symptoms as early as 2-3 days from exposure or infection. 97.5% of people, however, will show symptoms within 11.5 days from the infection.
The earliest symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some people develop other symptoms like headache, general body malaise, fatigue, and sore throat. There are reports of people who do not experience any symptoms despite a positive COVID-19 test result.
If you start experiencing fever, sore throat, or a cough that worsens as days go by or if you start developing other symptoms, you should go to the emergency room.
You are especially at risk if you have been in close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19, or if you have recently traveled to an area with a coronavirus epidemic.
Alert your doctor if you think you are showing symptoms of the coronavirus infection, especially if you have been exposed to anyone who was found to be COVID-19 positive or have traveled to a place where the virus is spreading. If you think that you’ve been exposed at work, alert your supervisor immediately.
Your healthcare provider will work with local health officials to collect clinical specimens that will be tested for COVID-19.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for this coronavirus yet. Vaccines are being developed and undergoing trials. Hopefully, one will be available for distribution soon. Hospitals, however, are providing healthcare to people found to be infected with the virus.
The World Health Organization recommended that patients exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection should avoid taking ibuprofen. French officials have found out that the drug could worsen the symptoms and effects of this coronavirus.
The enzymes that are boosted by ibuprofen worsens the infection. It may even worsen the condition of an acute kidney injury.
The elderly, particularly those aged 60 and above, as well as people who are suffering from underlying health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, asthma, heart disease, or cancer are at greater risk of developing severe to critical illness from this coronavirus.
While the immediate risk of infection may be low at this time, everyone should take steps to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the virus:
Again, Carolina Pharmacy recognizes your concern, and we want to assure you that your health and well-being are our primary concern and priority. Thus, we are taking every step necessary to provide the pharmaceutical services you’ve always relied on.
We are taking precautions to ensure that our pharmacy and environment is safe and clean. We have also remained in close contact with the federal and state agencies to keep ourselves updated with any new developments to be guided accordingly.
We remain fully operational, and our staff is available to address any of your concerns related to your prescriptions and health needs.
We recommend these sources for accurate and factual information about this epidemic: