By Frank Batcha, M.D. – St. Luke’s Wood River Family Medicine and Chief of Staff
Given the large number of infections our community experienced in the late spring, you likely know someone who had COVID. I believe this increased level of awareness has contributed to high levels of compliance with prevention, protection and mitigation efforts and have helped us keep our case numbers low this summer. However, it is unlikely herd immunity is playing a large role in preventing another surge. Estimates are that a population needs somewhere between 55->70 percent prevalence for herd immunity, which far surpasses our ~25 percent rate. Therefore, it is important to keep diligent in practicing the three W’s: Watch your distance; Wash your hands; Wear a face covering.
These measures will be particularly important as we head inside and into cold and flu season. It will be hard to tell them apart and it is possible to contract both at the same time, potentially a very serious situation. What has struck me the most about COVID-19 is the wide range of symptoms patients experience. Interestingly, early on, we had individuals telling us about their loss of taste and smell. This was a symptom that was unlike any other respiratory infection we had come up against. Some people had sniffles, headache, cough, congestion, diarrhea, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, and/or muscle aches and more. And some had all of them. If someone has any symptoms that are concerning, they should take all precautions to avoid spreading the disease, and then get examined and/or tested. A couple days at home is a small price to pay to keep others safe.
This is quite a stressful time on all of us. Our ingrained routines and social connections have been totally disrupted. Having been on the front lines, I saw how many people were sick and how badly they suffered, and how little there was to do to help them, other than supportive care. I still see patients with long-term disabilities from their infections months ago whose lives are completely changed. I have lost people who were close to me. I would like all of us to feel for the people around us, to care for them, and to do what is in our individual powers to make everyone around us safe. Thank you to those that take this seriously and thank you in advance for getting a flu shot! Stay tuned for more info on COVID and the flu.
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