Vaccine hesitancy presents a major obstacle for reducing community transmission of disease. Lets answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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We have prepared a quick quiz for you to test your knowledge on how well you know the facts about the COVID19 virus. No Cheating and Enjoy!
In Belize we have been COVID-19-free since May 5th. While we only have to deal with inconvenience of wearing face masks in ninety-degree weather, the rest of the world has been at war with an invisible enemy that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives.1 During this fight, new information is emerging every day. Treatment options are being explored, new symptoms have been reported and vaccines are being tested, and some are yielding positive results! In this article, we will discuss briefly what information has been discovered over the past couple days.
Rashes are very common in many viral illnesses. One report shows that up to 20% of patients have a skin finding. COVID toes have also been described anecdotally and has now been officially reported as a potential symptom. There is also an alarming report of patients presenting with strokes as an initial symptom of COVID 19.
Recognizing that patients prioritize convenient and inexpensive care, in-person visits should become the second, third, or even last option for meeting patient needs.Previous work has specifically described the potential for using telemedicine in disasters and public health emergencies.
In Belize and in many developing countries we are vaccinated with the BCG vaccine a few days to weeks after birth. An interesting observation is being made amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In these countries, the number of severe cases is comparably low compared to countries that do administer the BCG vaccine.
A study in Europe has found that loss of taste and loss of smell have been reported in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections and may sometimes precede classical symptoms such as cough and fever. Neurologic signs such as impaired consciousness and skeletal muscle injury have also been reported in another study.
Update on Hydroxychloroquine.
The latest study finds no benefit from hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxycholorquine was heralded as a potential game-changer for treating COVID-19. However, a new study shows that the drug is of little benefit.[1] This does not mean it should be written off as a potential treatment option. It has shown antiviral activity in-vitro and the rationale for its use is plausible. More evidence is still needed and clinical trials are still ongoing.