COVID-19: Information you can trust and share - Monthly Mission

Mar 18, 2020 | Tony Hart | @TonyHart87 | Comments (12)

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Stay informed

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can make a difference for others. Mayo Clinic is a source of trusted health information and helping spread the facts is important. Your #MonthlyMission is to stay informed on the latest COVID-19 news from Mayo Clinic experts and share that news on social media. Also, you can follow Mayo Clinic on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information on COVID-19 in your feeds.

Stay connected

You may be cut off from some of your normal support systems with social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can stay socially connected by chatting with others on Mayo Clinic Connect’s online discussion groups. There is also a new COVID-19 Support Group with discussions around coping, passing the time, disinfecting your home and more.

Stay safe

Older adults and those with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, are at higher risk of developing serious complications if infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To reduce infection, we all should consider these tips:

  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Practice social distancing.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren't clean.
  • Determine who can care for you if you become ill.

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Mayo Clinic Champions blog.

I have had a dry cough for about 6 weeks. It has not gotten worse and no other symptoms such as fever. Should I be concerned?

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@brandman48

I have had a dry cough for about 6 weeks. It has not gotten worse and no other symptoms such as fever. Should I be concerned?

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Do you have GERD? That is, chronic heartburn/reflux? Chronic cough is a major symptom of that.

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@brandman48

I have had a dry cough for about 6 weeks. It has not gotten worse and no other symptoms such as fever. Should I be concerned?

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@brandman48, As @therjes points out, a long-lasting dry cough can be a symptom of many different things and not necessarily COVID-19.

Here are relevant articles from the Mayo Clinic News Network:
- What to do if you suspect COVID-19 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-covid-19/
Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of Mayo Clinic's Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, says that it is important to stay home. If you feel you need medical attention, call you doctor first.

- COVID-19: Symptoms that require emergency care https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-symptoms-that-require-emergency-care/

Have you travelled recently? Have you been in contact with people who may have the virus? Are you also having trouble breathing? Are you in a high-risk group (over 70; immunosuppressed; have underlying conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes)?
These are some of the questions your doctor's office will ask.

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What do ivigg primary immune deficiency person do?
Is iv gammaglobulin safe from infecting patients ? Is plasma products being tested on these things ?
Can we still go out and get our ivigg infusions?
Is it still availble?
What are symptoms we ivigg patients need to WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS ?
I hear fever IS NOT FACTOR IT NOT ALWAYS HAPPENS TO IVIGG PATIENTS ?
What do we ivigg patients do to treat this ?
Is it safe and can we still go get out treatments ?
I get mine at a cancer center not connected to a hospital. Is this safe to go out and still get?

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@chillywillie

What do ivigg primary immune deficiency person do?
Is iv gammaglobulin safe from infecting patients ? Is plasma products being tested on these things ?
Can we still go out and get our ivigg infusions?
Is it still availble?
What are symptoms we ivigg patients need to WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS ?
I hear fever IS NOT FACTOR IT NOT ALWAYS HAPPENS TO IVIGG PATIENTS ?
What do we ivigg patients do to treat this ?
Is it safe and can we still go get out treatments ?
I get mine at a cancer center not connected to a hospital. Is this safe to go out and still get?

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Hi @chillywillie these are great questions. Thanks for starting a discussion in the COVID-19 group with these same questions. I, along with other members, have responded to you here:

- COVID-19 What do people with immune deficiency need to do? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid19-primary-and-common-immune-deficiency/

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I have a question. I feel as though I am starting a head cold. So far I do not have a sore throat. We were travelling in Tahiti where there were no cases and flew home 13 days ago. Since then I have had 2 appointments that I kept, both were hands on treatment. One was for back therapy 11 days ago and the other was a hairdressers appointment 7 days ago. Apart from that I have seen nobody and have isolated myself. I live on Maui where there are still only 7 cases of the virus. I am 79 years old and so in the danger group. I have not been to the store at all. Does the virus ever start with a slight burning feeling in the nose and a few sneezes and a little bit runny? I feel tired and have a slight headache but it may be from my neck. I am not sure what to do. Should I wait and see how I feel on Monday morning?

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@pollyanne

I have a question. I feel as though I am starting a head cold. So far I do not have a sore throat. We were travelling in Tahiti where there were no cases and flew home 13 days ago. Since then I have had 2 appointments that I kept, both were hands on treatment. One was for back therapy 11 days ago and the other was a hairdressers appointment 7 days ago. Apart from that I have seen nobody and have isolated myself. I live on Maui where there are still only 7 cases of the virus. I am 79 years old and so in the danger group. I have not been to the store at all. Does the virus ever start with a slight burning feeling in the nose and a few sneezes and a little bit runny? I feel tired and have a slight headache but it may be from my neck. I am not sure what to do. Should I wait and see how I feel on Monday morning?

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@pollyanne, please read this article from Mayo Clinic
- What to do if you suspect COVID-19 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-covid-19/

“Dr. Cowl says the first things that you should do are remain at home, drink plenty of fluids and take a fever-reducing medication. If symptoms intensify, call your health care provider, local hospital or clinic.

"It really is important to emphasize that, unless is it a medical emergency, you should not go in to the hospital or visit your health care provider without at least calling first," says Dr. Cowl. "By calling first, you can avoid exposing yourself and others to the virus. And you can help prevent an overflow situation at the medical facility."

If you are concerned, please call your doctor. Are you feeling short of breath?

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Not so far. It feels more like a head cold starting and I felt the same yesterday. I am feeling a bit tired and not like taking my usual walk. It's strange. Nothing is bad so far so I am hoping for the best.

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@pollyanne

Not so far. It feels more like a head cold starting and I felt the same yesterday. I am feeling a bit tired and not like taking my usual walk. It's strange. Nothing is bad so far so I am hoping for the best.

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@pollyanna I'm sorry to hear your not feeling well .I hope it's just a head cold but if a fever goes along with it you should see a Dr but call first

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I am sorry you are feeling unwell. Perhaps you shouldn't have kept those 2 appointments as you had been travelling and airports are high risk. Hopefully you haven't been exposed. Be that as it may, self isolate for 14 days now and monitor symptoms is what we are all being told to do. Shortness of breath is the big one to watch for. I hope you are well soon!

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