03/20/2020
Good day all! This is Dr. LaKeta Smith-Halpine. With all the panic surrounding the coronavirus, I wanted to share some things. My goal is to educate and not produce fear. This virus has been around for over 50 years. Of course, there can always be new strains which have not been discovered. This virus in simplest terms produces symptoms of a common cold or lower respiratory tract infection. It is more prevalent in the fall through spring seasons. Most people with healthy immune systems will get over it in about 5 days. Of course, any immunocompromised (someone with no or low immune system) person will be at a higher risk of complications. People who have asthma also need to be more aware as this can exacerbate asthma symptoms and can even lead to a viral pneumonia. However, any respiratory virus needs to get the same attention of awareness. The influenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus (to name a few) can cause harm. However, during flu season, people did not wear masks and gloves to help prevent the spread. People did not cover their mouths when they coughed. When a patient comes into a medical clinic with cold symptoms, providers are not going to routinely test for what virus is causing the symptoms. The symptoms are just treated. I am pretty sure quite a few people have been infected with the coronavirus in the past and never knew it. The biggest thing are the news media and social media which are driving the fear and nonsense which has been going on. Be cautious but please don't go off the deep end. Also, please be courteous to others. People are buying up paper towels, soaps, tissue, etc. in far excess than is needed and is leaving others without. What are paper towels going to help? Nothing. So what I am observing is that now people want to be clean instead of nasty. And if you are going to be socially isolated, why would you need so much soap and paper towels? This is the fear I am talking about. I am not saying do not be careful but you can still live your life. And mark my words, as soon as the media says everything is okay, then people will believe things are okay. Also, if you have any clorox or lysol wipes (or can even look on-line if you don't) look on the label. It will say what bacteria and virus it helps to kill. Most times it includes staph bacteria, salmonella, influenza virus to name a few. I am pretty sure it includes the coronavirus because it is very common. This lets you know this is not anything new. It just has not been identified strongly in the public eye. The coronavirus is not a death sentence. Be safe but also smart. God Bless. There is more which can be said but this is enough for now. Feel free to call Gentle Care Medical Clinic if you have any further concerns or questions...918-764-9220.
