Covid-19
Keeping You Safe & Informed
The BA.5 variant of the coronavirus omicron strain is subverting almost all expectations and predictions about how the pandemic was going to develop. The variant is highly contagious and causes a high percentage of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated and boosted. Although, vaccinations and boosts do appear to still give significant protection against symptoms that require hospitalization or medical attention.
Advance ER wants to keep everyone in our communities safe and informed, so we will be updating this blog entry with information about new variants, safety protocols, and so on.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear within 24 to 72 hours after exposure to the BA.5 variant of the coronavirus:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Fever
BA.5 seems to have a lower incidence of causing high fevers and nausea when compared to previous variants of the coronavirus. It also might have a lower risk of temporary, permanent, or semi-permanent sense of smell and taste loss. It is important to note that the symptoms of BA.5 and other omicron variants – which account for the vast majority of infections right now – can appear as quickly as 24 hours in some cases and become contagious around the same time.
How is COVID-19 different than the flu?
The coronavirus often begins as flu-like symptoms or those of a “bad cold.” Unlike the flu or a cold, though, it is far more contagious and has a much higher fatality rate. The best way to protect yourself from the flu is through annual vaccinations, and so, the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and receive booster vaccinations when available.
What is long COVID?
Long COVID is a little-understood phenomenon that affects many coronavirus patients. It is a continuation of symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath weeks, months, or sometimes years after the virus is no longer detectable in the patient’s system. The CDC estimates that around 25% of COVID patients suffer long COVID, regardless of how severely ill the initial infection caused them to be. Repeated infections seem to increase the risk of long COVID as well.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Yes, the coronavirus vaccine has been proven to be a highly safe vaccination with minimal risks that are far outweighed by the risks of even a mild COVID case. The CDC reports that nearly 600 million vaccine doses have been administered in the United States alone, with billions of doses having been administered globally. The percentage of people who were injured or passed away due to vaccine complications is not even 1%. Furthermore, the complications that do occur from vaccination are usually a form of anaphylactic reaction that is caused by a chemical compound used in the vaccine, not the vaccine itself. The vaccine does not make patients sick with the coronavirus or expose them to a “dead” version of the virus.
For more information about the coronavirus vaccine, its efficacy, and more, you can click here to visit the official CDC COVID Data website.
Where can I get tested?
COVID-19 testing is available at both our Park Cities and Galleria locations. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, as well as other common respiratory conditions, contact us online or call (214) 494-8222 to schedule your visit. With our advanced testing technology, we can administer tests directly from our clinic with a simple swab from a patient’s nose or throat to deliver results within minutes.
There are also government-organized COVID-19 testing centers available to residents of Dallas County. Two dedicated testing facilities are the Ellis Davis Field House and the Mesquite ISD’s Memorial Stadium. (You can click here to visit the Dallas County official website and learn more about where to go for coronavirus testing.)
You can also order free at-home tests here. While there, you can see if local pharmacies have tests for purchase or cost-free in-pharmacy tests available.
Am I allowed to take a test if I don’t have symptoms?
In-clinic testing is recommended for patients with serious or observable symptoms, or those who have been in contact with someone who has the virus. If you have very mild symptoms or are not showing any symptoms, then you might want to first use an at-home test to avoid going into public if not necessary. If you’re still unsure if you should take a test, don’t hesitate to call our office. We’ll assist you over the phone with care instructions or schedule an appointment if necessary.
How will I be treated if I have COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have one or more health conditions that increase your risk of becoming very sick, treatment may be available, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Antiviral pills like Paxlovid and molnupiravir can be used to reduce symptom severity for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated. We must start treatment within the first few days to be effective.
For more information on COVID-19, call our Dallas office at (214) 494-8222 today or contact us online.
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COVID-19 Vaccines
There are currently two vaccines that are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19: the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. The main differences between the two vaccines are the time between doses and the temperatures required for storage.
For the Pfizer vaccine, the booster shot occurs 21 days after the initial dose, while those who receive the Moderna vaccine need to wait 28 days in between doses. The vaccines are also stored at different temperatures. The Pfizer vaccine must be placed in a minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit freezer, while the Moderna vaccine can be kept at temperatures comparable to a home freezer.
Despite their minor differences, one hopeful fact about both of the vaccines remains true – they are highly effective at preventing COVID-19, according to the CDC. Experts believe that getting the vaccine might also keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do contract COVID-19. This is good news due to the severe, potentially life-threatening complications that can arise from the COVID-19 virus.
What to Know About Receiving Your COVID-19 Vaccine
If you are eligible for the vaccine, please make your designated health provider aware of any health conditions, vaccines you’ve received recently, and any other relevant information about your health like allergens and recent illnesses. After you receive your first dose, your provider will schedule you for your second dose. The vaccine is most effective when spaced appropriately. After you are vaccinated, your immunization will be noted on your official IMMTRAC vaccine record.
In addition to helping protect yourself from the virus, getting the COVID-19 vaccine can help protect those around you, especially those who are vulnerable to developing severe complications. Although getting the vaccine is voluntary, it is strongly recommended for those who are eligible.
Information in this page was accurate at the time of posting. Due to the developing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with developing guidelines, information is subject to change since the publication date. For more information about our emergency services in Dallas, call us at (214) 494-8222.
