Overview of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Overview of COVID
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Body Temperature:
The body regulates the core temperature to prevent overheating. Elevated temperature is regulated by sweating through sweat glands to cool down the body.
Normal body temperature is 37°C
How to record body temperature:
- Use thermometer to record temperature
- Temperature sites for recording:
- Oral
- Axillar
- Anal
Respiratory rate
Introduction:
- The body requires oxygenation from the lungs
- Oxygenation takes place in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide gas transfusion takes place across small sacs called alveoli in the lungs
- Breathing is the process of inhalation and exhalation of air where the lungs allow gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
- The respiratory rate (RR) of breathing in a normal person is about 20 breathes/minute
- Measuring RR: count the number of breaths in 1 minute
Lower respiratory tract infection in the lungs will present with symptoms and signs.
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Increased respiratory rate
- Fatigue
Signs:
With a a stethoscope there will be crepitations, wheezing and bronchial breathing in areas of consolidation
Blood Testing:
- Bacteria Culture
- Viral culture
- Of note the recent COVID-19 (Corona virus) can be tested
Chest X-rays:
May show signs of bronchial infection/pneumonia
Lung function tests:
These tests may show decreased airflow patterns
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) infection has become a pandemic and one of the complications include lower respiratory tract infection, respiratory failure and death.
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Septicaemia and shock:
- Septicaemia is the process where infection spreads through the blood stream and this can cause multiple organ failure and may cause septic shock and death
- Signs of sepsis include elevated body temperature and a fast heart rate called a tachycardia
- Septic shock present with increasing HR with a low BP causing decreased organ blood flow and the signs associated with organ hypoperfusion
How to assess for sepsis:
- Increased body temperature
- Increased HR
- Blood investigations: increased or severely decreased WCC, increased ESR/CRP/Procalcitonin, bacteria or virus detected in the blood stream
How to assess for septic shock:
- Increased HR with low BP
- Signs of organ failure
