When should you seek medical support/guidance

[Borderscotch]

I appreciate no one here is able to give medical advise but need someone to help me clarify my thoughts.

We all got coronavirus last week. DH tested positive Tuesday (so 10 days ago). He's been the most unwell of us all but I was expecting that as he is type 2 diabetic and is disabled through relatively recent trauma so stamina is low. He's just not picking up, his temperature is getting worse over the last few days, his cough is getting worse... But I appreciate all this is within the expected symptoms. We have an o2 monitor and that's hovering around 94 (but he never gets a reading about 96 when well). Not sure whenever to speak to GP today or hang tight, could he possibly have a secondary infection hence the recent temperature changes?

Please be kind, I just can't think clearly as still not fully recovered myself.

Advice not advise..... See brain fog!

I would consult a GP in these circumstances as he may need antibiotics and steroids.

I'd give the GP a call today as we're going into the weekend

Hi OP

I’d speak to a GP today - there is no harm in doing that and it sounds sensible to get some medical advice. I hope your DP picks up soon and you all feel better.

Also would give gp a call with his circumstances and it being ten days on.

Yes i would speak to a GP today before the weekend. Hope he feels better soon!

My fried was told to go to hospital if sats dropped to 94 or below which they did and she has no underlying health conditions. Do you have a COVID advisory service in your area?

I would definitely speak to his GP.

Thank you all, have asked for a GP to call me back.

Yes maybe get him on antibiotics in case he gets a secondary bacterial infection. My DH had Covid back in March and it was terrifying particularly as so early on. He was put on antibiotics and had an inhaler. He is fine and recovered well. But always hedge your bets.

I would give GP a call.
Also does he have a diabetes nurse? I would strongly suggest speaking to them as well.

We asked his diabetic nurse for advice at the start of his infection and she said she had no particular advice .

I had antibiotics from my GP after 12 days of a continuous temperature day and night of around 38.8 degrees. The temperature finally went on day 17 and I started to feel like I was turning the corner.
Please speak to the GP as he sounds like he needs some extra help.

Yes I agree on the extra help. I mean there is very little downside to taking a course of antibiotics. So I would get some in. Can you also get an inhaler. Keep an eye on his oxygen. Sending

Thanks all. Lovely GP called back, they're not overly worried, lots of advice on which of his meds to stop etc. Will just keep on monitoring him.

Good to hear the GP called back. Just to add that if at any point over the weekend you think he’s getting worse, don’t hesitate to call 111. That’s what they are there for.

I called 111 for my DH on day 10 because he seemed more tired, heart racing, resps high and O2 sats at the bottom end of OK. They said he needed to be checked at hospital, so a late night trip to A&E. They checked him and said they weren’t worried, so he was home within the hour.

But the key thing is - amid all the stories I’d heard of people deteriorating quickly - I had peace of mind. He had been checked by someone who was used to reading the signs, and they said he was OK.

What is his heart rate at rest. With a low O2 sat, that is the next thing to check. If it is over 90 bpm, then call for more advice.

The other thing, is can he shift the O2 sat higher if he does some focussed deep breathing? If he can its less worrying.

Have you tried using a different finger to toe. Also let the monitor hang on the finger with the finger sticking horizontally, as that presses the sensor more firmly on the finger nail.

If his Sats drop or heart rate increases or he just seems more unwell, call back right away

Let us know how he gets on, OP.

Thank you, he's seems no worse. O2 is 94 and his heart rate was 105 but GP felt this was increased due to dehydration as well as temperature etc.

Please call for advice at the weekend if you need it, how is his diabetes right now? I struggled to managed mine (type 1) and ended up in hospital due to that.

Is his temperature at a safe level with paracetemol?

His temp is well managed with paracetamol. His diabetes was getting back under control (his last hba1c was better but not great). His diabetic nurse doesn't want him testing his sugars himself (I have ignored this and we do periodically). I will keep an eye on his levels.

SeaToSki he can improve it with deep breaths so that's good. I will remember the tips on getting a good reading. Thank you

DH has a temperature of 39.4 this morning despite nurofen an hour earlier. Given some paracetamol and will check again soon. Going to be another long day.

Thats really high, I personally would be seeking medical assistance with a fever that high.

It's come down with the second lot of meds. He does tend to spike a temperature when ill. I said we'll see how it settles, if it goes up again before meds can be given (and I suspect it might) then I'll give 111 a call. He is always reluctant to see GP etc so I will just take control if I feel its necessary. His o2 was OK, will just keep checking him.