Respiratory Symptoms Warrant Medical Attention Regardless Of Severity
Following a string of community Covid-19 cases recently, medical experts have come forward to address what seems to be a worrying situation.
According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), investigations revealed that several cases from the K-9 para-veterinarian cluster had failed to seek medical attention even after developing respiratory symptoms.
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They tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after, raising concerns that similar incidents might be happening within the local community.
Several patients from new cluster didn’t seek medical help
After several cases linked to a K-9 para-veterinarian surfaced in recent weeks, Singapore recorded our first infection cluster in months.
What was more concerning was that at least 3 patients from the cluster delayed seeking medical attention despite showing symptoms, reports CNA.
Some of their symptoms include:
- Dry throat
- Fever
- Chills
- Loss of taste & smell
- Respiratory symptoms
- Diarrhoea
Acknowledging that staying home to recover from these symptoms may have been normal before the pandemic, experts are stressing that things are different now.
3 to 5-day MC may deter patients from seeing a doctor
Experts CNA interviewed offered several likely reasons why patients may hesitate to see a doctor even with mild symptoms.
One possibility is that they might think 1 symptom alone may not warrant a visit. Instead, a possible infection would come from a combination of symptoms like fever and cough.
So like their pre-pandemic habits, people would be pre-disposed to monitoring their condition at home first.
Other likelihoods considering current circumstances could be one of the following:
- Reluctance to take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test
- Concern about exposure to illnesses at the clinic
- The inconvenience of a 3 to 5-day MC
Regardless, experts insist that even the mildest symptoms should spur someone to see a doctor. The new cluster is proof enough of the undesirable consequences should a patient decide against doing so.
Even mild respiratory symptoms can be signs of infection
While the loss of taste and smell are unique indicators of a possible Covid-19 infection, they aren’t the only symptoms, reports CNA.
Experts note that common flu symptoms are likely signs too, and the only way to find out is through a test.
Hence, they encourage anyone even with the mildest respiratory symptoms, with or without a fever, to seek medical attention immediately.
To help you ascertain better, here are some signs to look out for:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches & pains
- Loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose
If you or anyone you know shows any of the above symptoms, make sure to arrange a visit to the clinic ASAP.
Keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility, so let’s do what we can.
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