I’ve long been concerned about how the authorities and doctor pundits saying “covid is usually mild” has led people to just completely not even think about calling their doctor even when they’re so sick with covid they’re unable to walk or eat. So I’m glad at least some doctors are coming out to assertively say that people should not just wing it at home with OTC cold remedies for a virus that most certainly is not a cold, and not like the flu either. But that people with covid should be seeking individual medical advice when they contract this illness.
CIDRAP – Scientists caution about CDC guidance on over-the-counter drugs for COVID-19 News brief March 22, 2024 Mary Van Beusekom, MS We believe that health care providers should make individual clinical judgments for each of his or her patients in the selection of OTC drugs to treat symptoms of COVID-19. – Charles Hennekens, MD, DrPH
I’ve seen numerous examples on social media over the years of people posting that they’re short of breath and needing random strangers to encourage them to go to the ER with what’s clear to everyone else is a potential emergency. Part of the problem is that actively sick people with fever sometimes aren’t thinking clearly, but also they’ve been told erroneously so many times that it’s mild when it can be deadly serious. Go ahead and call your doctor if you’re sick, and get medical advice specific to you. That’s what we should all be telling each other.