COVID-19 Information and Symtoms

What is COVID-19?

Covid-19 is a disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.  SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that was first discovered in early 2020, while there is concrete evidence as of the date of this update, it is commonly believed that the virus crossed from a mammal to the human population.  SARS-CoV-2 is one of many coronaviruses that can infect humans (CDC, Feb 2020).  For the purpose of this document we shall refer to both SARS-CoV-2 and the disease that it causes by the name COVID-19.

Note: The 'novel' that is often referred to when speaking about coronavirus comes from the Latin word novus which means new, in virology a novel virus is any virus that has never been detected in the past. ​

Source: CDC - Public Health Image Library (PHIL)
https://phil.cdc.gov

How does COVID-19 Spread?

So if COVID-19 is so new, how do we know so much on how the virus is spread.  The fact is scientist have been studying coronaviruses for many years, most people do not know that when we say we have a 'cold' it is most likely caused by a viral upper respiratory infection of which there are 100's if not 1000's of different types.  Generally they have mild to moderate symptoms and the body is able to fight them off in a matter of a few days.

Four of these milder versions are actually coronavirus variants which are HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1.  In the last 2 decades three new (or novel) coronaviruses have emerged.  These variants have significant differences from the previous coronaviruses, including causing lower reparatory infections often including the lungs which can easily turn into pneumonia. The newest coronavirus variants are SARS-CoV (now being called SARS-CoV-1), MERS-CoV and of course SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19.  You may have remembered SARS (c. 2003) and MERS (c. 2012)  being mentioned on the news.   While all of the seven (known) coronavirus that can infect humans have drastically different symptoms they all spread in the exact same manner, the CDC states,

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others (CDC, Oct 2020).

Furthermore we know that in particular that the coronavirus can easily spread via reparatory droplets in the air. It has been noted that, 

• When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets can range in size from larger droplets (some of which are visible) to smaller droplets. Small droplets can also form particles when they dry very quickly in the airstream (CDC, Oct 2020)

Do I have COVID-19

If you suspect you have COVID-19 call your primary healthcare provider first or go to a testing site.  It is critical that you you think you have been exposed or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 that you take precautions to not spread the virus to others.  If you are experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room at your nearest hospital, make sure to wear a mask if possible and immediately state that you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are showing signs and symptoms.

COVID-19, Cold, Flu, Allergies or Asthma

The similarities between COVID-19 and Influenza are both similar and vastly different.  They are both respiratory diseases that affect both the upper and lower respiratory system, they both can lead to pneumonia and can cause fever, chills, body aches, Nausea, Diarrhea and Vomiting.  Both are spread via respiratory droplets.

Where they differ are influenza has a much shorter incubation time, a shorter contagious timeline, and a much lower mortality rate.  The following chart shows the timelines between the two diseases. 

Source: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

Prevention and Saftey Practices

Now that we know how the disease is spread we can talk about prevention. There are three primary ways you can prevent infection is:

• Social Distancing
• Wearing a Mask
• Washing Your Hands

Social Distancing

Now we need to talk about why this works if you have never or are new to healthcare this is all new to you, while the news is clear about why we should practice these two option they are not clear on they why or how.
Touch: Humans are, in a general sense, social creatures, so of us are introverts and some extroverts but rarely do we not interact with any other humans at all.  It is quite normal for us to shake hands or give a hug to someone.  In fact, one study showed that human touch can reduce the perception of loneliness, lower heart rates, and feel less neglected (Heatley, 2020).​

We also know that human contact is the easiest way for viruses to spread from one person to another as shown in the video  (Van Kerkhove, 2020).  For this reason we need to stay social distanced to prevent this type of human to human contact.

Wearing a Mask

Wearing a mask has become a great debate and do they work? Politics aside we have to focus on tried and true science for this topic.  Those that have worked in healthcare know that a mask has been common Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for over a 100 years.  A common commercially produced surgical mask is arguably one of the most used forms PPE, coming in just behind latex/nitrile/vinyl gloves.
Why has the surgical or procedural mask so commonly used? There are three reasons:
     1. They are inexpensive, about 15 cents per mask they can be disposed of after use.
     2. They are effective, surgical masks filter up to .1 microns if worn correctly.
     3. They are lightweight, cloth masks weigh in at about 30-50g, procedural masks are only 4g.
The final word is that a commercial produced procedural mask will protect you better than a cloth mask if worn properly.
While Branding Hearts Home Health, LLC does not endorse any mask manufacturer in particular we will have links below on where you can purchase masks at a relatively low cost.  All Therapists, Nurses and PAS staff MUST wear a commercially produced PPE masks when they perform any work for Branding Hearts Home Health, LLC.  This is a mandate of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.  If you see a Therapist/Nurse or PAS worker not wearing a mask please report it immediately to [email protected] or call (210) 823-5226.
For more information about properly wearing a mask please visit this website at the CDC.  Using Personal Protective Equipment

Standard Procedural/Surgical Mask

Where to Buy Masks

Please note these are provided for informational purposes and are not endorsed or supported by the agency.
Amazon - 50 pcs
​Google Shopping - 50 pcs
​Medline - 50 pcs
​Walmart - 50 pcs
Optimus Dental - 50 pcs

NOTE: Staff of Branding Hearts Home Health, LLC are provided masks at no cost as part of stanard PPE.

Washing Your Hands

According to the Centers for Disease Control; 

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label (CDC, Nov 2020)

Vaccination and Information

Vaccine Rollout 

The COVID-19 Vaccine is not mandatory, however the CDC and Texas Health and Human Services recommends that every person be vaccinated to achieve "Herd Immunity".  Everyone should be vaccinated based on the rollout phases.  As of right now Phase 1a and Phase 1b have been started and information from the Texas Department of State Health Services state:

Phase 1a (Active Now) - Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities this includes PAS agency attendants and supervisors; Home health and hospice agency employees, volunteers and contractors as directed by DSHS on February 5th, 2021
Phase 1b (Active Now) - People 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID‑19 illness, including but not limited to: Cancer, Chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies, Organ transplantation, Obesity, Pregnancy, Sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes
Phase 1c (Under Consideration) - Additional Supply
Phase 2 (Under Consideration) - Additional Supply
Phase 3 (Under Consideration) - Broad Supply
Spring 2021 is the best estimate of when vaccines will be available for the general public. Availability will depend on vaccine supply. You should check the DSHS Website to track changes and timing of additional phases (DSHS, 2020).

If you have a condition that is not listed it is recommended that you speak with your doctor to see if you qualify for the vaccine.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2020, October 28). How Coronavirus Spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.htmlHeatley Tejada, A., Dunbar, R., & Montero, M. (2020). Physical Contact and Loneliness: Being Touched Reduces Perceptions of Loneliness. Adaptive human behavior and physiology, 1–15. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-020-00138-0
Van Kerkhove, M., Gupta-Smith, V. (2020, September 4). WHO's Science in 5 on COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 virus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg6Tf5ZN5rQ
​Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2020, November 24).  How and When to Wash Your Hands. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). (2020, February 5). COVID-19 Vaccination Information. https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx