2023-06-11 16:33:32
Although 3 years have passed since the “Covid-19” pandemic spread all over the world since late 2019; With 288,631,129 confirmed cases reported worldwide, including 5,458,545 deaths, according to the World Health Organization, suffering from the massive post-pandemic effects among the general population, especially vulnerable groups, continues to date.
There are many reasons associated with the pandemic, most notably: the high rate of disease prevalence and mortality, the unknown and unexpected nature of the disease, the lack of effective medical treatment (at the beginning of the pandemic), contradictory news, stigma, home quarantine, restriction of travel and contact with friends and relatives, the imposition of a widespread ban, And financial losses, and fear of infection.
Awareness campaignThere is evidence, based on numerous studies (Bareeqa et al., 2021; Bueno-Notivol et al., 2021; Forte et al., 2020; Huremović 2019.), that high-risk groups such as the elderly, obese individuals, smokers, and pregnant women People living with HIV, and patients with comorbidities, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, rheumatoid, hormonal, and a variety of cancers, are more likely to experience the “post-pandemic” effects.
Last Monday, an awareness campaign was launched on “post-pandemic dealing with (Covid-19) among high-risk groups of patients,” under the umbrella of the Saudi Society for Family and Community Medicine, in cooperation with the “Saudi Pfizer” company. Where a press conference was held, chaired and moderated by Dr. Hani Al-Hashemi, Consultant of Internal Medicine, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Director of the “Saudi Pfizer” company, who highlighted in his opening speech to the conference the objectives of this campaign, including defining the dimensions of coexistence in the post-pandemic phase, In terms of preventing diseases, practicing a normal life as much as possible, enjoying the quality of life, and reaching a state of perfect health and complete wellness, physically, psychologically and spiritually.
A group of consultants specialized in this field participated in the conference. We provide summaries of the most important things discussed in the conference.
Post-pandemic
> Coexistence of patients with chronic diseases: Dr. Ashraf Amir, consultant family medicine, vice president of the Saudi Society for Family and Community Medicine, participated in the conference with a lecture entitled “Coexistence of patients with chronic diseases with (Covid-19) in the post-epidemic stage.” He stressed that the world will not return to the same as it was after the “Covid-19” pandemic.
He said that the “Corona” pandemic has not ended yet, but we are living in a stage of coexistence with the pandemic. We must continue to apply preventive requirements, and protect groups at risk, while finding safe ways and preventive instructions that give them the opportunity to enjoy the quality and well-being of life and life without exposure to injury.
The community must be made aware of the groups at risk of contracting the “Covid-19” virus, namely: the elderly, patients with chronic diseases (respiratory diseases, heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity), and oncology patients receiving chemotherapy and immunosuppressive drugs.
It is also necessary to identify mental disorders in the elderly, resulting from their illness during the pandemic, and provide them with treatment and psychological and social support, with an emphasis on the importance of immunizations for “Covid-19” and other vaccinations recommended by the Ministry of Health to ensure comprehensive protection for individuals and society.
Dr. Amir added that the severity of symptoms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) varies greatly from person to person. Mild cases account for 40 percent, moderate cases account for 40 percent, severe cases account for 15 percent, and critical cases account for only 5 percent. And that patients with chronic diseases who are at risk of contracting the “Covid-19” virus are those who suffer from chest diseases, high blood pressure, immune diseases, kidney diseases, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Thus, the reports of the World Health Organization indicated that the death rate from “Covid-19” infection, according to existing health problems, is as follows:
Cardiovascular diseases (10.5%) Diabetes mellitus (7.3%) Chronic respiratory diseases (6.3%) Hypertension (6%) Carcinomas (5.6%) No medical condition (0.9%) cent).
Prevention steps
> The importance of prevention for the elderly: Dr. Amir indicated that the possibility of serious symptoms increases with age. Especially people aged 75 years and over, and the risk increases in this group when they have other health problems, due to the weakness of the immune system, the lack of immune cells and the slow immune response, and the possibility of many chronic diseases, and the poor performance of vital systems in the elderly.
Reports indicate that the death rate from “Covid-19” infection, according to age groups, was as follows: over 80 years (14.8 percent), 50-79 years (12.9 percent), 20-49 years (0.8 percent), 0 -19 years old (0.2 percent).
How do we protect the elderly from the risk of infection with the “Covid-19” virus?
Avoid gatherings as much as possible.
Avoid close contact with a person who has symptoms of the emerging “Corona” virus.
– Continue to wash hands with soap and water frequently, and use a hand sanitizer after sneezing or coughing, and before cooking or eating food.
– Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Continuing preventive measures: Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue, or inside the elbow, and making sure to wash hands with soap and water for 40 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer, in the event that soap and water are not available, for 20 seconds.
– In the case of chronic diseases, be sure to take the prescribed medications regularly.
> Protection of respiratory patients: The “Covid-19” virus targets the lungs. Therefore, a person is more likely to develop serious symptoms if he already has a chronic lung disease that includes: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – lung cancer – cystic fibrosis – pulmonary fibrosis – moderate and severe asthma attacks – pulmonary hypertension.
> Prevention of heart patients: Many heart diseases exacerbate the symptoms of the “Covid-19” virus in the patient. These include: cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.
> Prevention of diabetes and obesity: Diabetes and obesity increase the risk of infection in general, weaken the efficiency of the human immune system, and reduce its ability to fight infections.
> Steps to coexist with chronic diseases after the “Covid-19” pandemic:
– Emphasis on applying preventive measures, washing and sterilizing hands, physical distancing, and wearing a mask.
Maintaining contact with children and parents.
Ensure that they take their medications on time, and adhere to their treatment plan.
Commitment to follow-up to their necessary medical appointments.
Ensure that they get enough rest.
Include fluids and fiber in their diet.
“Covid” effects
> The effects of “Covid-19” on patients with chronic diseases: Dr. Rajaa Muhammad Al-Radadi, a preventive medicine consultant, associate professor at King Abdulaziz University, member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Epidemiological Society, and director of the Society’s office in Jeddah, participated in the conference. She explained that chronic diseases are medical conditions that last for one year or more, and require continuous medical attention, and that they arise from a group of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors. The four major chronic diseases are:
Cardiovascular diseases (eg: heart attack and stroke).
– crabs.
Chronic respiratory diseases (eg: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma).
Diabetes, high blood pressure.
She added that “Covid-19” brings chronic diseases and infectious diseases together, as infectious and chronic diseases interact with each other, which made “Covid-19” patients with chronic diseases more likely to develop severe symptoms, and increased the risk of hospitalization and death. Most of those who died in the “Covid-19” epidemic were suffering from previously diagnosed chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Accordingly, the ongoing risks of the “Covid-19” pandemic must be understood and understood, especially with regard to people most at risk with chronic diseases, which increase the risk of contracting “Covid-19”. The patient must visit the nearest hospital, and start treatment as soon as possible. 5 days of onset of symptoms, as recommended by the WHO-China joint mission.
> The current situation of “Covid-19”: Dr. Rajaa Al-Radadi referred to a study in Saudi Arabia, which showed that about 80 percent of “Covid-19” patients who were admitted to hospitals were suffering from at least one chronic disease. The combined effects of chronic and infectious diseases highlight the need to vaccinate patients with chronic diseases, and progress towards full protection.
She explained that the severity of the symptoms of infection with the “Covid-19” virus has now become very different from one person to another. Some people may not develop any symptoms at all. Others are so sick that they need to be admitted to hospital, and the situation may lead to them relying on artificial respirators.
The risk of developing serious symptoms as a result of infection with the “Covid-19” virus increases in the elderly. The risk may also increase in people of all ages who have other health problems, such as: heart disease, lung disease, weakened immunity, obesity, and diabetes. This is similar to what happens with other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu.
> The “Covid-19” cycle:
– 5-6 days after exposure to infection, symptoms appear, and with the use of medication, the infected person recovers after 14 days.
– If the drug is not used, the symptoms will intensify and increase in intensity after 7 days, and it may be similar to recovery after 2-5 weeks, or death will occur after 42 days.
> Treatment of “Covid-19” for patients with chronic diseases:
– Currently, treatment is available for “Covid-19”, and it is taken orally. If a patient suffering from chronic diseases experiences any symptoms, or the test result is positive for “Covid-19”, then the patient must visit the nearest hospital, and start treatment in the first place. 5 days from the onset of symptoms.
– Ministry of Health guidelines recommend using oral “COVID-19” treatment twice a day, for 5 days, for adults, out-of-hospital patients, and sick children aged 12 years, weighing ≥ 40 kilograms, and those infected with mild to severe “Covid-19” virus. Moderately at high risk of disease progression.
– The Ministry of Health was keen to strengthen and support all health care facilities, impose infection control measures, and monitor the capacity and capabilities of health care workers, isolation beds and medical supplies.
– It also worked on developing the diagnosis and treatment protocol for “Covid-19” patients, and provided the necessary support to health facilities, by securing all requirements to provide high-quality health care, regardless of eligibility for treatment. The Ministry of Health continues vaccination operations with doses of the “Covid-19” vaccine, and stresses the importance of vaccination for patients most vulnerable to infection.
Community medicine consultant
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