Analysis and Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment

Neurology Solutions is highly concerned about the clear and present danger from Covid19. We are taking utmost precautions utilizing telemedicine as well as staff wearing masks, eye protection, and disinfection of hands and commonly touched surfaces frequently throughout the day. With these efforts, we are available for in-office visits for those who cannot perform a telemedicine visit or have complaints that require direct patient examination. In those cases, we request all patients, and up to one caregiver, must wear some form of the mask during the entire visit unless directed to remove it for examination purposes. Upon entry to the office, we will check your temperature, and please use the provided hand sanitizer, and again right before leaving the examination room. If a decent hospital mask is not available to you at your home, a homemade mask is acceptable. The mask can be a simple doubled-over triangle bandana or large handkerchief tied behind the back of the head to adequately cover the nose and mouth from any spray droplets while talking with providers and staff. If you are actively sick from upper or lower respiratory symptoms, we will offer telemedicine visits only. We are doing everything we can to make ourselves available to you and the community for the long haul while protecting other patients and ourselves. Here are is our analysis of the Covid19 threat and recommendations we encourage all of us to implement.

Most people, greater than 85%, who become infected with Covid19 will have none, mild or moderate illness and recover fully without permanent injury or need to be hospitalized. Sick people should self-quarantine for at least 2 weeks and take extra precautions wearing a mask and generally avoiding all high-risk people for at least 2-3 weeks after all symptoms have resolved. High-risk people include:  elderly, particularly over 65, worse above 70, and much worse over 80; those living in nursing homes; immunocompromised; pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema,) obesity BMI >40; uncontrolled chronic disease like diabetes/kidney/liver; and smokers are all at higher risk for more severe sickness and/or hospitalization. Also, low levels of vitamin D have been associated with worse outcomes. Severe cases advance to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which kills many of these patients, often from viral sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and/or cardiac arrest. The clinical course from initial symptoms to death can take up to 6 weeks.