Category Archives: Diabetes

We are seeing an increased number of lower limb amputations during the lockdown period among people with diabetes. The reasons given by the people who underwent these amputations were that they were not able to get proper wound care and access to their regular doctors who were attending to their diabetic foot infection.

In the last one week, we had 5 patients who required a major below or above knee amputation due to diabetic foot infection. Before the lockdown we used to get some 5 patients in 2 months who required a major lower limb amputation.

The warning signs that should alert someone with diabetes to seek immediate help and avoid a major amputation are as follows:

What should people do to prevent a major lower limb amputation:

Therefore, proper foot care during this period will help to avoid many lower limb amputations.

Dr. Vijay Viswanathan is a Senior Diabetologist

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Some tips to avoid diabetic amputations during lockdown - The Hindu

The last Tuesday of March was the 31st. The Diabetes Wellness Support Group should have been meeting at the Val Verde County Library at 5 p.m. Unfortunately, COVID-19 got in the way. I missed having the opportunity to share experiences with the other members of the group. I care about them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Those underlying medical conditions include chronic lung disease, serious heart conditions, immune-compromised conditions, severe obesity, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease, and diabetes.

As an older adult with diabetes, I want to know what it is about the diabetic condition that makes me at risk for becoming so severely ill that I could die from COVID-19. Let me share some of what the American Diabetes Association offered on their website at diabetes.org.

Question: Are people with diabetes more likely to get COVID-19?

ADA: There is not enough data to show whether people with diabetes are more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population. The problem people with diabetes face is primarily a problem of worse outcomes, not greater chance of contracting the virus. In China people with diabetes had much higher rates of serious complications and death than people without diabetes

Question: Do people with diabetes have a higher chance of experiencing serious complications from COVID-19?

ADA: Your risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 is likely to be lower if your diabetes is well-managed People with diabetes (who) do not manage their diabetes well and experience fluctuating blood sugars could worsen the chance of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because (the) bodys ability to fight off an infection is compromised.

Question: What should diabetics do to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19?

ADA: If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus. Stay home as much as possible.

Yes, those of us with diabetes should be doing all we can to manage our diabetes so our bodies can fight hard if assaulted by COVID-19. We can have control over our blood sugar. Of course, we should also be doing all we can to avoid becoming infected. We have control here, too. We can stay home, wash our hands, and maintain 6-feet of distance from others outside our homes.

Let me turn this situation on its head. You have heard folks saying, Were all in this together. Now, consider the next question and answer.

Question: I dont have diabetes or any other risk factor. In fact, I probably wont die if I get infected. What do I need to do?

Answer: See the answer for diabetics! After all, were all in this together, right?

Willie Braudaway strives to make life better as a librarian, genealogist, and member of various community organizations. Contact her at librarywillie@hotmail.com.

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Diabetes and COVID-19 What's the risk? | Opinion - Del Rio News Herald

Because the variety of UK instances of coronavirus continues to rise, what has turn out to be clear is how lots of the sufferers to die from the virus have underlying well being circumstances that make them inclined to catching it.

The dying toll in Britain has exceeded 8,000. Most of thesewhove diedhave suffered fromunderlying well being circumstances.

Its a brand new an infection, however from our expertise with coping with flu epidemics, we all know that individuals with numerous circumstances will fare worse, says Fan Chung, a professor of respiratory medication at Imperial Faculty. A paper has simply revealed within the New England Journal of Medication, that regarded on the first 1,001 instances in Wuhan. The figures confirmed these with diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart illness, COPD, most cancers and renal illness, fared worse. And I believe the individuals who very sadly died within the UK had one or any of these circumstances.

A Chinese language examine hasdiscovered folks with coronary heart illness, diabetes and most cancers had a 79 per cent likelihood of being admitted to intensive care or dying from the virus, as a consequence of their weakened immune methods.

Listed below are the underlying well being circumstances that put you at larger threat of getting the coronavirus, anda reminder of the way it would possibly initially unfold.

Folks with diabetes face a better threat of problems in the event that they get the coronavirus, as a result of truth their fluctuating or elevated glucose ranges depart them with lowered immunity. This additionally means theyve much less safety in opposition to getting the virus. Coronavirus or COVID-19 could cause extra extreme signs and problems in folks with diabetes, says Dan Howarth from Diabetes UK. In case you have diabetes and youve got signs equivalent to a cough, excessive temperature and feeling wanting breath its essential monitor your blood sugar carefully and name the NHS 111 cellphone service.

Folks with diabetes who dont expertise signs and have lately travelled to any of the affected areas have to comply with info on the NHS and theGOV.UKweb sites, provides Howarth. These are up to date commonly and are probably the most up-to-date supply of knowledge accessible.

Anyone with a coronary heart situation is extra more likely to have a compromised immune system, so their immune response gainedt be as robust if uncovered to a virus. COVID-19 additionally targets the lungs, which may trigger issues for a diseased coronary heart that has to work more durable to get oxygenated blood across the physique.

Bronchial asthma is a respiratory situation that results in irritation of the respiration tubes that transport air to and from the lungs.Coronavirus could cause respiratory issues for anybody, however for the 5.4million folks within the UK with bronchial asthma, the chance is larger, says Jessica Kirby, Head of Well being Recommendation at Bronchial asthma UK. Respiratory viruses like thiscan set offbronchial asthma signs and willresult in anbronchial asthma assault.

Kirby says should youre a sufferer, itsimportant to takeyour preventer, day by day as prescribed. This helps reduce the chance of an bronchial asthma assault being triggered by any virus, together with coronavirus, she says. Conserving a reliever inhaler handyis important, soyoucan use it ifyou get bronchial asthmasigns.

Ifyourbronchial asthma signsgetworse, and also you havent travelled to an at-risk space or been involved with somebody who has, make an appointment to see your GP as quickly as you possibly can. For those who suppose you may need coronavirus, use the NHS 111 on-line coronavirus service.

COPD is the identify for sure lung circumstances that trigger respiration difficulties, together with emphysema, which is characterised by harm to the air sacs within the lungs,and continual bronchitis, which is a long-term situation involving irritation of the lungs airways. Folks with COPD usually tend to get coronavirus if uncovered to the virus as a result of theyve harm to their epithelial lining, which makes it simpler for viruses to enter the physique.

Most cancers sufferers are extra inclined as a consequence of their compromised immune system. Varied most cancers medication and coverings, like chemotherapy, imply your immune system could also be suppressed, says Prof Chung, and this could improve your probabilities of catching it. And should you do get it whilst you havemost cancers, youd in all probability fare worse than anyone with the virus who didnt have most cancers.

Not a well being situation as such, however lots of the hundreds of deaths to this point have concerned aged folks with underlying well being circumstances. The aged are at higher threat, and authorities recommendation for the aged to keep away from crowded areas is sound recommendation, says Prof Chung. The figures weve got to this point appear to suggest the chance will increase above the age of 70. Nonetheless its even worse for these over 80. The probabilities of getting it and faring worse improve two or 3 times above the age the 70, however much more so above 80.

When it comes to kids, who seem like much less liable to getting the coronavirus and, in the event that they do, getting a extra benign model of the sickness, Prof Chung says that an adolescent with an underlying well being situation is not at a higher threat: A youngster with bronchial asthma, or coronary heart illness, wouldnt be predisposed to get the coronavirusor endure from it, in the identical method an grownup with the situation would, he says. Possibly its their immune system, and the way its completely different from older folks, however by way of their susceptibility of getting the coronavirus, well being circumstances in younger folks dont appear to extend their probabilities of catching it.

Germaine K. Curran is leading the team writing for Day-To-Day. She is a newcomer in the organization and has already made her base and reputation with her hard work and her efficiency towards her field. Being a student of computer science it has become easier for her to understand the objectives and the expected results of this column. She is also an excellent cook, and now and then, and we get the opportunity to taste her deliciously baked cookies.

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how diabetes, bronchial asthma and different underlying well being circumstances have an effect on the way you cope - Global News Hut

In 2018, the market size of Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens Market is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2018; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.

In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens .

This report studies the global market size of Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens , especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).

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This study presents the Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens Market production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens history breakdown data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2025.

For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2018.

In global Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens market, the following companies are covered:

The following manufacturers are covered:Georgia-PacificCorrugated Packaging AllianceW.E. RobertsFencor PackagingNuttall PackagingGreat Little Box CompanyDurham BoxABBE CORRUGATEDBoxmasterBoard24

Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapan

Segment by TypeA-fluteB-fluteC-fluteE-fluteF-flute

Segment by ApplicationPackagingTransportationOther

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The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens in 2017 and 2018.

Chapter 3, the Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2014 to 2018.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2014 to 2018.

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Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2014 to 2018.

Chapter 12, Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2024.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Diabetes Insulin Delivery Pens Market Rapidly Increasing in Size Globally : Latest Report with Current Trends and Future Estimations and Opportunity...

Type 2 Diabetes MarketLatest Research Report 2020:

The Type 2 Diabetes report provides an independent information about the Type 2 Diabetes industry supported by extensive research on factors such as industry segments size & trends, inhibitors, dynamics, drivers, opportunities & challenges, environment & policy, cost overview, porters five force analysis, and key companies

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In this report, our team offers a thorough investigation of Type 2 Diabetes Market, SWOT examination of the most prominent players right now. Alongside an industrial chain, market measurements regarding revenue, sales, value, capacity, regional market examination, section insightful information, and market forecast are offered in the full investigation, and so forth.

Scope of Type 2 Diabetes Market: Products in the Type 2 Diabetes classification furnish clients with assets to get ready for tests, tests, and evaluations.

Major Company Profiles Covered in This Report

Company I, Company II, Company III, Company IV and more

Type 2 Diabetes Market Report Covers the Following Segments:

Segment by Type:Type I, Type II, Type III

Segment by Application:Application I, Application II, Application III

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

South America

Center East and Africa

United States, Canada and Mexico

Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy

China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa

Market Overview:The report begins with this section where product overview and highlights of product and application segments of the global Type 2 Diabetes Market are provided. Highlights of the segmentation study include price, revenue, sales, sales growth rate, and market share by product.

Competition by Company:Here, the competition in the Worldwide Type 2 Diabetes Market is analyzed, By price, revenue, sales, and market share by company, market rate, competitive situations Landscape, and latest trends, merger, expansion, acquisition, and market shares of top companies.

Company Profiles and Sales Data:As the name suggests, this section gives the sales data of key players of the global Type 2 Diabetes Market as well as some useful information on their business. It talks about the gross margin, price, revenue, products, and their specifications, type, applications, competitors, manufacturing base, and the main business of key players operating in the global Type 2 Diabetes Market.

Market Status and Outlook by Region:In this section, the report discusses about gross margin, sales, revenue, production, market share, CAGR, and market size by region. Here, the global Type 2 Diabetes Market is deeply analyzed on the basis of regions and countries such as North America, Europe, China, India, Japan, and the MEA.

Application or End User:This section of the research study shows how different end-user/application segments contribute to the global Type 2 Diabetes Market.

Market Forecast:Here, the report offers a complete forecast of the global Type 2 Diabetes Market by product, application, and region. It also offers global sales and revenue forecast for all years of the forecast period.

Research Findings and Conclusion:This is one of the last sections of the report where the findings of the analysts and the conclusion of the research study are provided.

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Coronavirus Outbreak: Type 2 Diabetes Market Report (2019-2025) | The demand for the Market will drastically increase in the Future - Curious Desk

Rico Ramirez spent 10 days in a San Francisco hospital's COVID-19 unit, hooked up to oxygen to help him breathe, isolated from family and friends.

"I thought I was going to die alone," Ramirez told NBC affiliate KNTV. "I thought every day I was in there that I was going to die in a room by myself."

Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

But coronavirus wasn't the only illness he learned about when he was hospitalized; he also learned he has Type 2 diabetes, putting him at greater risk for complications from the virus.

"I'm just happy to be alive," Ramirez, who's now in recovery, said.

Ramirez joins the estimated 34 million Americans who have diabetes. The disease, in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check, is often listed as an underlying condition for COVID-19 patients sick enough to be hospitalized and put on a ventilator.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released findings on 178 hospitalized patients who had other chronic health problems. Nearly a third had diabetes.

Patients with diabetes also often have other underlying conditions, such as obesity and high blood pressure, putting them at even greater risk for coronavirus complications. The CDC report found nearly half of those hospitalized patients also had hypertension and/or obesity.

Diabetes weakens a person's immune system.

"People with diabetes are more prone to infections, and if they have infections, they're more prone to poor outcomes," Dr. John Buse, the head of endocrinology at the UNC School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said.

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Doctors say this is especially true for those with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

"Poorly controlled diabetes affects the immune system in various ways," Dr. Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said. When blood glucose levels are too low or too high, it makes it more difficult for the body's army of white blood cells to function effectively, she said.

"That's when the immune system starts to go haywire," Kellis said. "The ability to fight infection is diminished."

Doctors also hypothesize that the chronic, low levels of inflammation associated with Type 2 diabetes may also worsen outcomes of patients with the coronavirus.

Inflammatory reactions in the body are not necessarily a bad thing and happen as a natural response to injury. For example, the swelling seen after twisting your ankle is an inflammatory response. But this type of response differs from the chronic inflammation seen in people with diabetes, because the swollen ankle eventually shrinks back down to size.

If a person's level of inflammation is chronically elevated, even at low levels, an infection such as the coronavirus may prompt the body to release far too many of those inflammatory chemicals, called cytokines.

"It seems that a lot of the bad outcomes with COVID-19 are related to a hyperinflammatory" response, referred to as a cytokine storm, Buse told NBC News.

"Instead of releasing enough cytokines to control the infection, the body almost overdoes it," Kellis said, "and it becomes too much for the body to handle."

Keeping blood sugar levels in check is critical, doctors say.

"That's really the most important thing," Kellis said. "Get your blood sugar as controlled as possible so if you do see elevations, you can make changes to get it back to where you need to be."

And if you do notice an unexplained rise in blood sugar, that may be an early warning sign of illness.

It's like "an antenna that goes up that says something may be coming," Dr. Robert Eckel, president of medicine and science at the American Diabetes Association, said.

Download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

Eckel explained patients may see a rise in blood sugar 12 to 24 hours before developing symptoms, such as a cough or a fever. This is a known phenomenon that doesn't just apply to COVID-19; it's true for people with diabetes when they develop other illnesses, too.

"If you're used to a fairly stable picture of your blood glucose and now you're seeing an escalation," Eckel said, "pay attention to what may be following."

The American Diabetes Association has other suggestions for people with diabetes now that millions are staying home as much as possible:

Beyond those tips, the basics of infection prevention apply: proper hand washing, social distancing and covering your face in public.

Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook.

Erika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and "TODAY."

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Man hospitalized with COVID-19 learns he also has diabetes. Why that's dangerous. - NBC News

Beth and Ellen had been enjoying their moment in the spotlight as the Diabetic Duo when coronavirus came along.

The type 1 diabetics had become known for their videos on the social media platform TikTok and dispelled myths around the condition, but the current pandemic and self-isolation has meant theyve had to get creative with how they make their content.

In this episode of Cabin Fever the duo reveal why diabetes is classed as High Risk in relation to Covid-19, how their emotions affect their blood sugar levels and their recent obsession with tie-dye loungewear.

This week's presenters are having quite different quarantine issues. Simon Minty is a little person and says that had a stranger turned away from him in the street he would have taken it badly a few weeks ago - now it's positively welcome!

And Emma feels liberated by lockdown. As a blind mum she says her house and garden are her castle and being at the home she knows so well means she can run about and play with her young boys independently.

Produced by Beth Rose. A full transcript is available here.

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Styling out coronavirus with diabetes and tie-dye - BBC News

Hundreds of black men recently discovered they could get more than a trim at their local barbershops. They were offered diabetes testing, too.

A new study offered customers diabetes screenings at eight New York City barbershops. Among those who took the test, 10% learned they had average blood sugar levels that indicated type 2 diabetes. And almost 30% appeared to have prediabetes.

"For a long time, barbershops have been a place of trust, especially for black people. Because we had the barbers on board with us, people trusted us. Barbers are often important health advocates," said the study's senior author, Dr David Lee. He's an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the NYU School of Medicine.

Lee and his colleagues said it's important to reach out to black men in this way because their diabetes diagnosis is often delayed, and black men have significantly higher rates of diabetes complications once diagnosed. Black men are also less likely to live into their 70s than are men in other racial and ethnic groups.

Dr Anthony Clarke, an internal medicine doctor in Detroit, said, "Not seeking medical care is a common problem in men, and it's worse in the black community. With a lot of men in general, they think, if you don't know about a problem, it's OK. A lot of men tell me, 'My wife made me come in.'"

Clarke, of Detroit Medical Center's Harper University Hospital, was not involved in the current study.

"I think the barbershop was a good way to do this. If patients aren't coming to you, you go where the patients are. The barbershop is a gathering place for men," Clarke said.

The researchers partnered with eight Brooklyn barbershops, all owned by black people. The neighbourhoods were chosen because they had a higher prevalence of poor blood sugar control.

From September 2017 through January 2019, nearly 900 black men were offered the free finger-stick blood test for diabetes.

The researchers ended up testing 290 men. Their average body mass index (BMI) was 29.3. BMI is a rough estimate of body fat based on height and weight measurements. A BMI between 24.9 and 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.

Of those who had undiagnosed diabetes, about 62% were obese, the study found. The average age of the men with undiagnosed diabetes was 41.

More than half of the men who didn't take the test were willing to tell the researchers why. About half said they knew their health status or had been checked by their doctor, and 35% said they were healthy or they didn't want to know their status. Eight percent said they were afraid of needles, Lee's team noted.

"The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are relatively few. A lot of people feel fine and think they're healthy. Other research has shown that if you find diabetes from a screening test rather than symptoms, you'll have half the premature mortality rate than those who find out later," Lee said.

"I usually meet people late in the disease process at the [emergency department]. We need to start figuring out ways to detect chronic diseases like diabetes earlier," he added.

Lee said he's not sure if this approach would work in other cities or in more rural areas.

The study results were published as a letter in the online edition of JAMA Internal Medicine.

Image credit: iStock

Original post:
At the barbershop: a trim and a diabetes screening - Health24

A man with type 2 diabetes has described his COVID-19 experience, saying although it was scary, it is possible to beat.

The dad-of-two, who wished to remain anonymous during his interview with Teesside News Live newspaper, said: I didnt leave my bedroom for three weeks. I was listening to the news and I knew how serious it was. I would go to the bathroom but made sure it was disinfected before going back to bed.

His wife left meals for him outside his room and she slept in a makeshift bed in the lounge.

Initially the 46-year-old thought he had developed a chest infection after experiencing shortness of breath and a high temperature. It will not until his doctor suggested he go to hospital in mid-March that he learned he had become infected with coronavirus after he was tested.

The wagon driver from Billingham described his experience of COVID-19: They stuck a big swab down the back of my nose and throat which was quite painful and uncomfortable. I went home to bed and the next day I got a call from Public Health England to say the test was positive. I was shocked to hear that I thought it was just a chest infection.

He said his symptoms were very much up and down but his condition got significantly worse at night.

He said: I was getting really breathless and I couldnt sleep. I would close my eyes to go to sleep but I would get really short of breath and would worry in case I was going to stop breathing. It was a very scary feeling as I had no control over it at all.

Three weeks later he is feeling a lot better and has even been able to go out into the garden for some fresh air, but he still gets breathless walking around and has to take things easy.

He added: Dont get me wrong, I feel like Ive been one of the lucky ones. At the time I was diagnosed there were only a handful of cases round here. The spread of it has been rapid but I want people to know that is possible to beat.

Its been a very scary experience and I think it could take a few more weeks for me to be back to normal but Im glad to say Im getting back to some sort of normality.

In order to protect yourself from the virus, everyone should stay home as much as possible. For more information, and the official guidelines, please refer to the Government website.

Here is the original post:
Man with T2D recalls 'scary' COVID-19 experience but fully recovers - Diabetes.co.uk

The crowd of walkers was sparse and well-spaced on the boardwalk at West Haven's Savin Rock shore on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The boardwalk is now closed.

The crowd of walkers was sparse and well-spaced on the boardwalk at West Haven's Savin Rock shore on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The boardwalk is now closed.

Photo: Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media /

The crowd of walkers was sparse and well-spaced on the boardwalk at West Haven's Savin Rock shore on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The boardwalk is now closed.

The crowd of walkers was sparse and well-spaced on the boardwalk at West Haven's Savin Rock shore on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The boardwalk is now closed.

Coronavirus Q&A: Well-controlled diabetes and coronavirus risk

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, medical and health questions have flooded in from readers.

Where is it safe to go, and how does the virus spread? Who is at higher risk? How do I keep myself and my family safe?

From day one, our reporters began looking for answers.

Two weeks ago, we brought you a round of answers to your medical questions.

This week, we went back to one of the experts who previously helped us: Dr. Dennis Brown, who heads Quinnipiac Universitys physician assistant program. Brown specializes in emergency management and community health.

Although the busy professor did not have time to sit down for a video interview early this week, he answered some questions via email.

Many of the questions came directly from readers, while reporters came up with some of their own inquiries based on what they had learned in the field.

Heres what Brown had to say.

Question: Is it unsafe for people with COVID-19 to take ibuprofen?

Answer: When it comes to using ibuprofen when you have COVID-19, medical recommendations vary, according to Brown.

Because the drug works by decreasing the bodys inflammatory response and that response is part of the immune systems reaction to try to kill the virus, some have expressed concern that the virus could do more harm in patients taking ibuprofen, Brown said.

To be safe, the professor recommended using acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease fever and pains.

Q: Can multiple patients use the same respirator? If so, are there drawbacks?

A: Ventilators are designed to serve one person at a time, according to Brown.

While they can be adjusted to serve more than one patient, that measure is only taken in serious emergencies, when there are no other ventilators are available, Brown said.

There are drawbacks, especially as the best ventilator settings for each patient varies, he continued.

Q: How long after recovery from coronavirus would a test be able find a trace in your system?

A: Most recent data is suggesting that people are still shedding the virus up to three to five days after a severe illness, Brown said.

Q: Is there free testing available? Where?

A: For information on testing, Brown directed readers to use their local hospital COVID-19 hotlines, Connecticuts information hotline (211) or the state Department of Public Healths coronavirus FAQs, which are updated regularly and include a section on testing.

Q: If youre not leaving the house at all, is it still necessary to disinfect all surfaces inside daily?

A: While a full disinfection is probably not necessary, keeping the house clean is a great way to get rid of other bacteria and viruses that are still around, and to prevent illnesses such as the common cold, according to Brown.

Q: Will Connecticut hospitals accept home sewn face masks made of cotton pillowcase or T-shirt material?

A: Most hospitals are accepting homemade face masks, Brown said, adding that donors should check with the health-care facility beforehand as it may request specific patterns.

Q: Should blood donors be tested for COVID-19?

A: If the donor does not show symptoms, they will not be tested at this time, Brown said.

Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 should self-isolate for two weeks, according to Brown. Blood donors should then inform the Red Cross about any possible exposure when they give blood, he said.

Q: Are people with well-controlled diabetes still at very high risk for severe COVID-19?

A: Diabetics are more susceptible to having more severe infections because of a decrease in their immune systems response, Brown said.

Even someone whose diabetes is well controlled will not react to stress or illness in the same way as someone who does not suffer from the disease, according to Brown.

Q: My son has henoch schonlein purpura. Does this make COVID-19 more serious for him?

A: Brown could not find any literature on the topic, he said.

Given how many unknowns there are surrounding the virus, he recommended that the reader contact their pediatrician or hematologist.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com

Read more from the original source:
Coronavirus Q&A: Well-controlled diabetes and coronavirus risk - New Haven Register