When is it necessary to see a doctor in the midst of the covid pandemic

The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia makes the public even more anxious and alert, especially when going to the hospital. The reason is, they are worried about contracting the virus considering that many patients are hospitalized. However, when does someone need to see a doctor in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The need to see a doctor in the midst of COVID-19

Concern over contracting the coronavirus led to guidelines physical distancing increasingly encouraged, aka keeping a distance from other people. This habit is indeed healthy. Meanwhile, this fear makes people avoid the hospital even though they are sick and this is actually quite dangerous.

According to Robert Neumar, M.D, Ph.D., professor of medicine at Michigan Medicine, delaying seeing a doctor in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic can actually cause serious complications. This applies especially to those who have symptoms of heart attack, stroke and other serious illnesses.

You see, when someone has a heart attack or stroke, getting early treatment can increase their chances of recovery. A stroke occurs when a brain artery ruptures or when a blood clot blocks blood flow to a part of the brain.

If the condition is left too long, more brain cells will die. As a result, some of the damage to the brain cannot be reversed due to the delay.

In addition, for those who have had a heart attack, treatment from the start makes a big difference between life and death. Therefore, people should not avoid emergency treatment in the hospital when it is really needed.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,012,350

Confirmed

820,356

Recovered

28,468

DeathDistribution Map

Symptoms that require emergency treatment in the hospital

If you experience a medical emergency, whether it is related or not related to COVID-19, seeing a doctor is something that must be done. These conditions include injuries or illnesses that require prompt treatment, such as:

1. Heart attack and stroke

One of the symptoms that make you need to see a doctor immediately in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic are signs of heart attack and stroke. As previously stated, these two diseases require fast treatment so that the chance for recovery is even greater.

If you are experiencing chest pain, especially this is the first time or pain that is different from before, don't ignore it. In addition, chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, and pain in the left arm also indicates that you need to go to the emergency room.

For those who experience symptoms of a stroke, such as difficulty speaking, arm feeling weak, or one side of the face feeling weak, consult a doctor immediately. This is because therapy to treat stroke will be less effective if treatment is delayed.

2. Chronic disease

Apart from strokes and heart attacks, other diseases that need to see a doctor in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic are chronic diseases. You see, patients with chronic illness are very likely to experience symptoms or side effects that require emergency care.

For example, patients with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and lung disease should not delay getting emergency care if they experience new symptoms. Slacking off for treatment at the hospital can actually lead to life-threatening complications.

3. Injury to the bone

Treatment of bone, muscle, or joint injuries cannot be postponed, so you must immediately see a doctor even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reason is, an injury that is left too long can cause more serious injury, increased pain, and in some cases permanent damage.

This condition can certainly be prevented if patients get treatment quickly, especially those who experience the following conditions:

• acute injuries to the feet, hands, knees, shoulders and elbows
• fractures of the arms, elbows, hands, and feet
• sprains and strains to ligaments, muscles, and tendons
• acute pain in the back and neck

4. Pregnancy

For pregnant women, it is natural for them to feel worried and wonder if they need to consult an obstetrician in the midst of this pandemic. The answer, check with a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for pregnant women who have high-risk pregnancy symptoms, such as:

• hypertension symptoms
• headache
• blurred vision
• the fetus moves less frequently
• severe stomach pain
• signs of preterm labor

If pregnant women experience some of the symptoms above, it means that they need emergency treatment in the hospital. That way, the obstetrician can tell the expectant mother what happened and how the next steps are so as not to endanger the womb.

5. Other symptoms

The four medical conditions above do require emergency treatment at the hospital, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that doesn't mean you can ignore other symptoms that require treatment from a doctor.

Here are some medical conditions that require immediate treatment.

• Accident
• Coughing up and vomiting blood
• Injury to the head
• Loss of consciousness
• Drug poisoning or overdose
• Severe burns
• Constant abdominal pain
• Symptoms of COVID-19, including shortness of breath
• Suicidal thoughts

Checking with a doctor at the hospital does not necessarily expose you to COVID-19. You don't need to worry too much considering that every hospital has its own health and safety protocol. You only need to make efforts to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to be extra careful.