As with many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, how we treat the disease has changed over the last several months. Dr. Ramesh Peramsetty, the chief physician and owner of Crimson Care and First Care in Tuscaloosa, is always up-to-date about advancements and treatment-related news. He brings this knowledge to his patients so that they receive the best possible care.
While every patient is different and may require a unique specific course of treatment, we want everyone to have an idea of what they can expect when being treated for COVID-19.
Treating COVID-19 Symptoms
Dr. Peramsetty says that for patients who do not require hospitalization, his overall recommendation is symptomatic treatment. This means treating the symptoms that the patient is experiencing.
“For example, if you have a fever, body aches, or headaches, we will likely recommend that you take Tylenol. Zyrtec/Mucinex for congestion. Robitussin/Delsym for cough. If you have diarrhea, you may take Imodium as needed,” Dr. Peramsetty says. “If you have serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, or severe dehydration, we will recommend that you go to the emergency room.”
When the presentation of COVID-19 is mild to moderate, patients are often able to manage their illness at home. Again, since each patient is unique, our decision about whether monitoring and care should take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting will be made on a case-by-case basis.
One big factor that may affect our recommendation to manage the disease and isolate at home or go to the hospital is the potential risk factors for severe disease. We will monitor patients with risk factors for severe illness more closely due to the possible risk of progression to severe illness.
Treating COVID-19 in Children
Dr. Peramsetty says that the trend of seeing milder, less severe illness in pediatric patients has held true at Crimson Care and First Care. Most children present with symptoms of upper respiratory infection, such as a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and cough. Typically, this can be effectively managed at home while the child isolates. For those children who have underlying health conditions, we may want to monitor their progress with the disease more closely.
Dr. Peramsetty adds that parents are often happy to hear that COVID-19 testing for children is typically handled a little differently than with adults. While nasal swabs can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, a throat swab for kids is also effective for diagnosis and much less burdensome.
Testing to Determine is COVID-19 Treatment is Needed
For patients with symptoms or possible exposure to COVID-19, we offer drive-up testing at Crimson Care and First Care. This means a trip inside the building is not required.
Here’s how testing works, according to Dr. Peramsetty:
Drive up to our designated testing area and pick up your paperwork from the med team outside.
Once your paperwork is completed, bring it back to our team and we will call you to drive underneath the awning once you are checked in and put into our system.
A medical professional will then do a telehealth visit with one of our doctors inside the building, determining your testing and treatment plan.
We will then swab you and collect your information. If you are showing COVID symptoms, we’ll conduct the rapid test, delivering your results in 15 minutes. If you’re being tested for the flu or you do not yet have active COVID symptoms, we’ll perform the 24 hour PCR test and send you on your way to receive your results later by telephone.