Q's Health News

A virus is an infectious microscopic organism which invades a living organism, such as humans, animals, bacteria, and plants, and uses those host to replicate. There are a multitude of different viruses. Many viruses cause diseases in humans, such as influenza, the common cold, chicken pox, AIDS, and rabies. Fortunately, for many common viruses there are vaccines available that humans can get to prevent infections.

However, there are not vaccines available for all viruses, especially new ones, like the one that causes the disease COVID-19. In addition, when a person gets infected with a virus, there is no medication to cure that illness, an antibiotic will NOT help treat a viral infection. Healthcare professionals can only treat the symptoms caused by a virus. The virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted from person-to-person through contaminated respiratory droplets.

Viruses that cause respiratory illnesses often cause similar symptoms when a person has a mild or moderate illness. So, a person with a cough, sore throat, and fever could be infected with a virus that causes influenza, the common cold, or COVID-19. It is very likely the infected person will not even be tested for the disease, because it would not change the treatment.

So, especially right now, when you are having cold symptoms you will only be tested for COVID-19 if you meet specific criteria. If your symptoms do not require a major intervention, such as hospitalization, you may even be asked to just stay home and treat your symptoms with rest, Tylenol and Ibuprofen, and hydration. It is important to understand that healthcare professional do care about you and your illness, however, at this time, the healthcare professionals need to be very protective of themselves and those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 (like the elderly, people with lung disease, diabetes, or heart disease, and those who have a compromised immune system).

If you are sick – STAY HOME. Call your healthcare provider’s office to discuss your symptoms with medical personnel. After assessing your symptoms, travel history, and exposure risk over the phone you will be given directions to do what will be best for you! If you live in Carter County, please call Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association at 406-775-8730 with any concerns regarding respiratory illness symptoms.

As always, thank you for joining me this week. Stay safe, and protected, by – washing your hands frequently, covering your sneeze or cough with the crook of your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, clean frequently touched surfaces often, and avoid sick people. Follow dphhs.mt.gov for the latest COVID-19 statistics in Montana and CDC.gov for the most up to date information. Call me (406-775-6332), email me ([email protected]), or follow Carter County Public Health on Facebook and message me with any general COVID-19 questions.