Can they do much for people with severe covid now?

[furrabootswisye]

My wonderful, funny, beautiful cousin is in hospital very unwell with covid . Been told she’s awake but not well enough to talk, or text, dependent on oxygen and bed bound - can’t breathe. Think she has multiple PEs and pneumonia . She’s mid 50s .

She’s got young-ish kids who need her and was like a second mum to me in my teens . I’m so dreadfully worried about her, and not getting much of an update from family - a bit estranged over the last few years sadly .

What treatment is she likely to get? Is there much they can do? I keep remembering that on TV they said it’s 50/50 survival if bad enough to get into hospital (that may be an old statistic) and I’m not sleeping for worrying .

Any advice or experience or reassurance at all, would really really appreciate 😔

I've no experience of severe covid, but can't read and run. Your cousin will be in the best hands, and the survival rate is vastly improved from the first wave. There are new treatments, so I'm going to keep everything crossed that your cousin improves. Sending you and her family unmumsnetty hugs.(())

I have no knowledge or medical experience. But every day that goes by, they learn more about this. She may need help from a ventilator. Michael Rosen the poet had this for some weeks and managed to come back from it. There are improvements with drugs and antibodies from survivors.
I hope you can stay calm and safe and things look up soon. 💐

www.statnews.com/2020/11/23/hospitalized-covid-19-patients-surviving-at-higher-rates-but-surge-could-roll-back-gains/
American data but I’m sure ours would be similar ie much better than 50 percent chance of surviving if admitted
Hope she feels better soon.

Thank you, I’m almost pacing the floor worrying about her . She bought me a lovely necklace years and years ago that I lost at some point moving house, and that’s upsetting me too, despite it having vanished some ten years ago - I’m keeping myself busy trying to find a replacement on eBay

Hopefully I get better news soon, it’s just awful 😔

I can understand your pacing as I had a similar worry a month of so ago about a child in hospital. I actually found if I went outside and walked in the cold it helped calm me down and get rid of some of the adrenaline.
This isn't in your control so your priority is to ensure that you are in as good a state as you can possibly be to either help her family or her. You're no good to them if you develop an anxiety related illness. Lots of deep breathing, walking, fresh air and tea.

I think the 50/50 statistic was the survival rate if the patient was on ventilation, rather than being admitted to hospital. They have found numerous treatments/ methods since then that I would hope has greatly improved that statistic. Thinking of you, hope you get an update soon.

50:50 was the survival stat early in 1st wave if they were mechanically ventilated.

Survival rates of those who entered hospital were then about 75% -- and are much better now. Probably over 95% for someone in their 50s.

Thank you, that’s really reassuring . She doesn’t even have any serious underlying issues so all quite a shock . Hopefully get a text tomorrow .

If it’s any help my partner entered hospital after 10 days with covid which turned into pneumonia.
He was put on a cpap machine immediately, lots of iv fluids , antibiotics by drip for the pneumonia, steroid drips for the lungs and has an underlying heart condition.
He made it home day before Christmas Eve after spending 6 days on a ward and when he was blue lighted to hospital it was likely he was going into a ventilator.

They are saying that the steroid is being given is a big help to the lungs.

It was very terrifying for us all.For my part to watch them taken off by ambulance is horrific due to media scare stories, then because there’s literally no contact with them, try calling covid wards is difficult as they are so busy.
But there’s is hope for her, hugs to you xx

My db is a dr and he said that they are much better at dealing with severe covid cases now. Fingers crossed you will hear an update on her health soon. X

She’s feeling a bit better . Still far from 100% but not as dangerously ill I think . So enormously relieved . Thanks so much for the lovely messages and positive vibes !

Dobble so glad your partner recovered OK xx

So pleased for you @furrabootswisye and your cousin. Fingers crossed her recovery continues well and she can be ok for a nice Spring time.

I hope she's over the worst and able to be home soon, such worrying times for so many.