Covid 19

COVID-19 continues to evolve, developing several variants since its outbreak in late 2019. Although some variants have caused milder illness than the original, it remains a significant health concern, especially for people with comorbidities, conditions and chronic illnesses that raise the danger of contracting COVID-19. Age, chronic health conditions like diabetes, and other diseases compromising your immune system increase your risk of severe illness with any virus, including COVID-19 variants. However, vaccination, early detection, and effective COVID care have advanced dramatically since 2019 and are your best defense against this potentially dangerous virus.

COVID is a complex virus that enters the body through the nasal cavity and throat (upper respiratory tract). For many people, the virus is contained to the upper respiratory tract, creating symptoms that include sneezing, nasal congestion, and a sore throat. However, COVID can spread into the lungs (lower respiratory tract), eventually developing into viral pneumonia. It can also affect your heart, kidneys, liver, and neurological system. Blood vessel damage, due in part to your immune system’s inflammatory response to the virus, can cause clots to form, leading to pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack. Conditions that increase your risk of severe illness include:

• Heart failure
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
• Excess weight
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Sickle cell disease (thalassemia)
• Asthma
• Pre-existing liver disease

Immunosuppressant medication taken after an organ transplant also increases your risk.

The CN Internal Medicine providers encourage people to schedule a visit anytime they’re concerned about their health. They’re happy to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. To help prevent community spread, they also offer virtual appointments for individuals experiencing COVID-linked symptoms, including:

• Cough, sore throat, fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Loss of taste or smell
• Moderate to severe headache
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

Notably, these symptoms are common to other viral illnesses. During a virtual visit, your CN Internal Medicine provider will recommend testing to confirm or rule out COVID-19. They offer rapid in-office testing and PCR testing by appointment. Based on your symptoms and health risks, your provider could suggest scheduling an in-office visit. Call CN Internal Medicine today or request a visit using their secure online service.