NURSE THELMS SAYS: CORONAVIRUS

Hi guys! For those of you who have been with me for some time and those that are new to the site: allow me to introduce/re-introduce myself.

My name is Thelma and I’m a registered nurse. I love connecting with you on my site and I also love sharing valuable knowledge with you guys if it can help in anyway in regards to your health. Last month, I shared with you all that I would be starting a new series on With Love, Thelms: Nurse Thelms Says Series. If you missed last month’s introduction to the series, I decided to start this series as a way to share information concerning your health and overall wellness.

Side note: A new topic will be covered once a month — feel free to share questions you may have about your health and that of others on my Instagram. It will remain anonymous of course! (catch up here for last month’s topic)

Through the course of this Coronavirus pandemic that has rocked the world on a global scale, I thought it only fitting to cover it during this month’s Nurse Thelms Says. As a nurse, I know it’s my duty to inform the masses as best I can. As I continue to fight the good fight on the front lines, I will be using this time to also share as much knowledge on Coronavirus as I can. Both on With Love, Thelms and on my social platforms.

Now without further ado, I wanted to answer some FAQs (frequently asked questions) you guys have been sending my way in this morning’s blog post.

QUESTION 1: Can Coronavirus (CoVID19) be cured?

Currently there is no cure for the virus and with the way our nation is scrambling to take back control of the pandemic nature this viral infection has taken on, I’m not sure there will be any time soon.

QUESTION 2: What are some of the early signs and symptoms of the virus?

You may initially experience symptoms that are similar, but vary in specific ways to the flu – dry non productive cough, headache, fever, possible loss of taste/smell. Diarrhea is also a symptom healthcare professionals like myself have begun to notice in our CoVid positive patients. The key difference unlike the flu, symptoms will get worse and not better. Shortness of breath (SOB) and trouble breathing overall will likely come next and this is when the real trouble begins. 

QUESTION 3: If you don’t have symptoms, does that mean you’re CoVID19 free?

No. You can in fact be asymptomatic (without symptoms) and still have the virus. If we’re being frank, that’s what is most disturbing about this virus and why it is spreading so rapidly. Many are unaware that they have the virus and without intention, are spreading it like wildfire. 

QUESTION 4: How can Coronavirus kill you? Isn’t it just like the flu?

This virus though similar to the flu, carries out a more severe attack on the body than the flu. I hate to go all medical textbook on y’all, but you asked so I’m answering lol — Coronavirus is a virus so once it finds a host (you, me, Billy, Mary, etc) to infiltrate, it will do just that. It will begin to replicate within the body at an increased rate particularly in the lungs. The ability for a nasopharyngeal swab to detect it so quickly is believed to be because of the virus attacking the upper respiratory system first. As it gets worse the virus continues to move down into the lungs (lower respiratory tract) and damage the parenchyma of the lungs. Once in the lower respiratory tract it becomes increasingly difficult to come back from, so to speak. Viral pneumonia (due to your lungs inability to expand — infectious particles build up) soon develops and your lungs lose its ability to expand. Long story short you can’t breathe, you end up requiring a ventilator to allow your lungs time to heal while the medications (antivirals) attempt to do its job. However, if not treated in time and/or you have other conditions that weaken your immune system, etc… it can kill you.

QUESTION 5: What can I do to prevent myself from getting the virus?

It’s honestly pretty simple. Hand washing has always been and will always be the #1 way to get rid of lingering germs. WEARING A MASK WHEN OUT & ABOUT. As a nurse, it’s so frustrating to hear people complain about wearing a mask for 15mins out of your day. HA! When I have to wear a mask for 11 1/2 hours (30mins not included because I’m eating lunch). Hell, I’m breaking out from wearing a mask for so long 3-4x a week. Nevertheless, I understand that it’s protecting me & others — so it is what it is. Also, practicing social distancing because I believe the CDC is still unsure of whether the virus is droplet or airborne, is key. In the hospital, we’re treating it as both. Staying away from those that are sick and boosting your immunity with natural herbs and common things within your home. Foods/ingredients such as, but aren’t limited to: oranges, ginger, turmeric, grapefruits, lemons, garlic, red bell peppers, yogurt, spinach, etc. However, Coronavirus is so insidious in nature — it is quite possible that despite all the precautions you take you still end up getting it. 

QUESTION 6: If I think I have been exposed to someone who has or had Coronavirus, what should I do next? 

GO GET TESTED. It is better to know for sure than not know. There are a surplus of testing centers available right now. Also, in knowing that you have been exposed — tell your family and all those that potentially were exposed to you. Don’t keep it a secret or shy away from being open and honest. Not doing so, could lead to serious problems (health issues) for the people who were exposed to you because they were not informed in a timely manner. It could be the difference between them tackling it early or trying to get a handle on it when it’s too late. Additionally, after getting tested — quarantine yourself until the results come in that clears you or confirms that you have tested positive for Coronavirus 19.

QUESTION 7: If I test positive for Coronavirus 19, how do I determine if I should go to the hospital or stay home & self isolate? 

Solely by your symptoms. If you have no symptoms, but have tested positive self isolate for at least 14 days. In many cases, when you test positive AND have symptoms — everything that follows is pretty progressive. Feeling tired and weak, having the runs (diarrhea), a dry non-productive cough, fever, and so forth. If those symptoms get worse and you are not able to manage them on your own, SEEK HELP (as in go to the hospital). For example, a cough that is not getting better. A fever that despite Tylenol remains uncontrolled. Shortness of breath that makes the simplest of tasks (walking from your bedroom to the bathroom impossible). The feeling of overall doom (just not feeling okay or feeling hopeless about getting better). Those are all reasons that you should seek the hospital rather soon.

QUESTION 8: Where do you think is the most dangerous place to be right now?

Well being that everything is closed or just about closed, I’d say the grocery store and of course the hospital. Everyone’s going in and out of that place likely unsupervised while within. People are probably doing what grocers do, picking stuff up — putting things back etc (while spreading germs). Even though they may be limiting the amount of people going in and out… it’s a bit impossible to limit or monitor what those very people are touching day in and day out. Ya know? I understand that you may need vital items, but again it comes back down to washing your hands and being clean. As for the hospital, practically EVERYONE coming in has the virus. If you don’t have any major health issues that you are experiencing, STAY AT HOME. Do not come to the hospital. Doing so puts you at great risk and the same way you came in — likely won’t be the same way you leave. Please stay home. 

QUESTION 9: What people are the most at risk?

I’ve been getting this question a lot! The most vulnerable populations are those that are: elderly, infants/toddlers, those with previous history of COPD, Heart Disease, Cancer (of any kind), Kidney failure, Asthma, Diabetes (there has been a significant rise in the amount of critical patients that also have Diabetes), Chronic Lung Disease, those who vape or smoke (any type of substance), those who do drugs (of any kind), etc. Also those who have autoimmune disorders (of any kind) or any underlining weakness in the immune system department. Young adults are not as susceptible if they have no medical history that I have listed, HOWEVER — some have died for reasons many of us still can’t fathom. SO, I caution young people to not take “being young & healthy” for granted. Don’t take it for granted at all because this population are the ones who have being testing positive the most.

QUESTION 10: How are you dealing with all of this, being that you’re on the front lines as a nurse and placing yourself in direct danger?

You know, it’s a bit scary. I’m constantly putting myself in harms way, but I do it because I love the job. I know what I signed up for as a nurse and no matter the trials and tribulations — I am here to serve in all ways, always. I will be honest and say that initially, I underestimated the severity of the virus (I’d like to believe all medical professionals did). However, I have since recognized how rapidly the detrimental impact this virus is having is affecting us all on a global scale.

I hope this blog post helped breakdown the virus in simple terms! I will be answering more questions in the days ahead, but this is it for now. Be sure to check out my social sites, especially my Instagram for constant updates and insight into the virus + it’s impact. In the meantime, I will see y’all next month for a new Nurse Thelms Says. Back to regularly scheduled programming Friday. 

Till then, be safe and stay home for nurses and medical professionals like myself.

Laters babes,

Thelma RN, BSN

friendly reminder, new blog posts on With Love, Thelms every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for you babes’ viewing pleasure.