Excellent article that looks at why people can die very quickly , often without breathing difficulties. Get yourself an oximeter if you can.

[ihatethecold]

www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/coronavirus-testing-pneumonia.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

On the advice of my Dr friend I bought an Oximeter a month ago due to having asthma. She said this is the best way of knowing how well my lungs are coping if I become unwell.

That’s really interesting.

I had pneumonia 6 years ago initially without realising it. No chest pain. But quite sudden breathlessness after feeling poorly and by the time I went to A&E went straight into ITU on a ventilator. Had been in work the previous day!

You need to understand the haemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve to interpret the readings.

It’s worth pointing out that most of the new generation Samsung Galaxy and Note phones also have a pulse oximeter on the back.

@Orchardgreen maybe but higher is better... And when you call 111 / GP / 999 you can tell them what the reading is so even if you feel generally not too bad you might not be. And they can use it to decide whether to send an ambulance for you. And then hopefully you won't be one of the people not in a "risk" category who are told to stay at home and then die.

Where did you get yours please x

Really interesting article. Thanks for sharing.

I bought my oximeter from eBay a while ago for £12. I think they may be more expensive now due to demand.

GP's still have access to buy them direct if you have a Dr that would want you to monitor yourself if need be.