Medical – WashBehavioralHealth

What You Need to Know About COVID At-Home Tests and Self Testing (Part 1)

According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), COVID self-testing, which is also often referred to as “at-home testing,” is one of the strategies that helps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions.

You can perform these tests at home before going to school, work, or any social gathering to make sure that you are not infected at the moment. They are purchased over-the-counter from your pharmacy or retailer. They also are easy to use and are equally indicative regardless of your vaccination status or the presence or absence of COVID-19 symptoms.

This is the first of two articles aimed to address the most common questions about COVID self-testing and to provide the most current and relevant information about available at-home tests and their use.

How do COVID-19 At-Home tests work?

At-home tests come in a safe and convenient form of nasal swabs, which can be done anywhere. They can provide a result within 15-30 minutes. Because they are quick and convenient, these tests are also known as rapid tests.

All currently approved COVID self-tests are the “antigen tests” you hear about in the media. It means that they can detect the materials that a virus can leave behind, for example, the proteins. They don`t, however, recognize the virus`s actual generic material. Technically, it is like seeing animal fur on furniture and assuming a pet in the house.

What is the difference between a PCR and Antigen COVID test?

Both PCR and Antigen testing start with a sample from the patient or participant. It can be a nasal swab or saliva sample.

However, PCR testing aims to detect the virus`s DNA in the sample through a polymerase chain reaction technique. This kind of testing provides a more accurate and definitive result but requires special equipment and a skilled lab technician to run them properly.

Antigen tests use lab-made antibodies to search for antigens from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Those are the substances that force our immune system to produce antibodies. The testing strip used in such tests binds to the antigen in a sample and indicates it with a colored stripe.

Antigen tests (i.e., rapid tests) are faster and easier to perform, but they are less sensitive and accurate than PCR testing. In other words, if the accuracy of PCR COVID tests approaches 100%, Antigen home testing, by comparison, identifies the infection in 72% of people with symptoms and 58% of people without symptoms.

How much do COVID At-home testing kits cost?

When COVID self-testing kits were first introduced to the general public, costs ranged between $25 and $50. Currently, several brands of Antigen tests are available for about $20. Costs are higher for PCP tests

Self-testing kits may likely follow a similar price pattern as facemasks, which skyrocketed in price at the beginning of the pandemic, only to come down significantly and be made available to individuals in need of them in healthcare clinics and public places.

According to the latest statements of President Biden`s Administration, Americans will get access to over 150 million free home-testing kits during the holiday season. The tests will be available through local libraries, schools, and healthcare facilities.

But before you head to your local library, it is recommended that participants call ahead because these facilities have limited storage space, and products are delivered in batch amounts. If the library doesn’t have a kit available and you cannot get to a facility to be tested, rapid kits can still be purchased from a retailer, such as your local pharmacy.

In addition, retail giants such as Walmart and Amazon announced the possible launch of low-cost COVID self-testing kits for travelers during the holiday season. You can purchase a single kit or a multipack containing several kits so you can use them as needed for yourself or to give to family members.

In the next article we will discuss the most popular at-home tests and how to use them.

Third Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use Against Covid-19

Single Shot and No Extreme Refrigeration Needed

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a third vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization against Covid-19 for individuals 18 years old and older.

The FDA has determined the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine, produced by Johnson and Johnson, has met the statutory criteria for emergency use authorization, or EUA, and approved the vaccine on February 27, 2021. This vaccine requires only a single injection instead of the two injections required by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. In clinical trials, it was 100% effective against severe Covid-19 and death and 72% effective against Covoid-19. Although the latter rate is lower than the other two vaccines, it is still considered very effective, based on standards set by the FDA.

Also, this vaccine does not require extreme cold refrigeration like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This is good news for community clinics and rural areas previously unequipped to handle the storage requirements.

Updated: Rollout is expected to begin as early as Monday.

Comparison between Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved COVID-19 vaccines. They come from two leading laboratories in the field – the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

Both vaccines use the same technology, known as mRNA, and teach your body to provide an adequate immune response to COVID-19 without using the live virus that causes it.

However, there are some significant differences between the two vaccines regarding their storage and the overall vaccination process logistics.

Storage temperature

Pfizer-BioNTech – has to be stored in less than -94^o F and can stay in a regular fridge for up to 5 days
Moderna – Requires -4^o F storage temperature and can remain in a standard fridge up to 30 days

Preparation

Pfizer-BioNTech – requires dilution with salt water (saline)
Moderna – ready-to-use

Vaccination age range

Pfizer-BioNTech – 16 y.o. +
Moderna – 18 y.o. +

Shots required

Pfizer-BioNTech – 2 shots, 21 days apart
Moderna – 2 shots, 28 days apart

Side effects

Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines demonstrate similar character and frequency of side effects. Those are pain at the injection site, followed by tiredness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and chills. Several patients reported severe allergic reactions. However, all of them had a history of allergies to certain components of the vaccine.

USFDA Advisory Committee Meets to Discuss and Vote on Pfizer Vaccine for Emergency Approval

With the United Kingdom’s recent rollout of the Pfizer/BionTech Covid-19 vaccine, and Canada expecting to follow suit before the end of December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will meet today on whether the vaccine should be approved for use in the U.S.

The meeting consists of a panel of outside experts that advises the government. The experts will discuss the efficacy of the vaccine in terms of safety and effectiveness. One of the issues that is likely to be discussed is adverse allergic events and how to address them, after two nurses in the UK had severe allergic reactions to the vaccine.

There also will be a public hearing, followed by a committee discussion and vote. The meeting is expected to take the entire day.

If the FDA clears the drug for use, the rollout for administration could come as early next week.

Two UK Nurses Presented with Severe Allergic Reactions Following Administration of the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine

Just a day after the United Kingdom implemented its national rollout of the Pfizer/ Covid-19 vaccine, health officials warn people with a history of severe allergic reactions not to participate. This warning came after two nurses suffered an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

The nurses experienced an “anaphylactoid” reaction characterized by rashes and shortness of breath. Both nurses have a history of allergic reactions and carry an EpiPen, which is a device that looks like a fat pen and delivers a dose of epinephrine. People with severe allergic reactions keep EpiPens nearby for emergency use. Both nurses recovered quickly.

The UK health officials reacted immediately with the following guidance: those with significant allergies to food, medicine, and vaccines, should not take the Pfizer vaccine. There are no preservatives in the vaccine, so more studies will be needed to determine possible causes since the clinical trials did not study individuals with a history of severe allergies.

As other companies are also producing a Covid-19 vaccine, people with severe allergic reactions may tolerate one of the other vaccines. Meanwhile, in the US, the Food and Drug Administration will convene an expert panel meeting on December 10, 2020, to determine if emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine should be approved, given its high effectiveness rate. If approved, health officials are likely to disseminate similar warnings.

A Breakthrough for the Most Serious Patients Affected by COVID-19

Drug is Available Worldwide and Inexpensive

There appears to be a significant breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19, and it comes in the form of a relatively inexpensive drug that has been available worldwide for years.

British scientists at Oxford University report Dexamethasone has reduced death rates by 35% for patients on ventilators and by 20% for those on oxygen.

Dexamethasone is a generic steroid that’s been used for 60 years to reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis and asthma. It is inexpensive, costing about one dollar per day in the U.S. and in many other parts of the world.

To date, it is the only drug that has shown to reduce mortality. However, the scientists noted that the drug does not appear to help patients with milder Coronavirus symptoms and who are not experiencing breathing problems.

Still, the findings represent a significant breakthrough in trial research. There has been a worldwide race to find a vaccine or cure for COVID-19, which has affected more than 8 million people and is responsible for more than 430,000 worldwide, as of this writing. Researchers remain hopeful about Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug created to fight Ebola, shown thus far, to reduce the duration of severe COVID-19 symptoms from 15 to 11 days.

Findings from the Oxford research study are in the process of being published.

Updates on this research will be published here.

The One Pill That Will Make You Feel Worse if You Have COVID-19

The World Health Organization recommended this week that people suffering COVID-19 symptoms should avoid taking ibuprofen because anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus.

Ibuprofen is the pharmaceutical name for Advil, Motrin and Midol brands. These brands are also known as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, because they can be purchased directly in stores by the consumer.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID, or think you might have it, seek medical advice before self-medicating with ibuprofen.

Information is constantly evolving on COVID-19, and more research undoubtedly will be conducted to confirm the effects of taking ibuprofen. We will update as more information is published.

UPDATE:

According to FACTCHECK.ORG (March 30, 2020), “There is no evidence that ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can make COVID-19 cases more severe.”

There may have been some political basis for the circulation of the report by some countries, according to the organization.

FactCheck.org is a non-partisan, non-profit center located at the University of Pennsylvania. You can find more information about this topic on their website.

Consult with your physician before taking any medication, even ones over the counter, for COVID-19 symptoms.’

We will continue to update you on this page as information becomes available.

Preparing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes and Long-term Care Facilities

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities can take steps to assess and improve their readiness to respond to the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has formulated a checklist for facilities to assist in the development of a comprehensive response plan that includes these key areas:

Rapid identification and management of ill residents

Considerations for visitors and consultant staff

Supplies and resources

Sick leave policies and other occupational health considerations

Education and training

Surge capacity for staffing, equipment and supplies, and postmortem care

This tool, in conjunction with other assessments, identifies strengths and weaknesses of a facility’s current preparedness efforts. It does not describe mandatory requirements or standards. Rather, it highlights important areas for facilities to review to in order to prepare for the possibility of residents testing positive for COVID-19.

Additional information is available on the CDC website.

This link will take you to the checklist: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/novel-coronavirus-2019-Nursing-Homes-Preparedness-Checklist_3_13.pdf

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You can also use this short-cut: bit.ly/2vB2gaW

Edited for clarification on April 1, 2020

NOT Your Typical Coronavirus: The Difference Between a Cold, the Flu, and COVID-19

The Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new strain of coronavirus and is spreading quickly worldwide. China was the first to report the viral strain. We first heard of the outbreak in December 2019.

COVID-19 is the most serious and deadliest strain of coronavirus that scientists have identified to date. Yes, there are other strains in existence. The most common, a milder form of coronavirus, is one we are all familiar with: the common cold.

COVID-19, however, can cause severe illness and even death. The elderly and people with compromised health and immune systems, like heart and lung disease, hypertension, and diabetes, are at serious risk. Children and younger adults appear to be less affected by the virus. Many young adults exhibit mild symptoms, and some report having no symptoms despite being tested positive for the virus. But be aware– they can pass the virus on to others. Scientists don’t know why children and young adults are not as strongly affected. However, those with pre-existing health conditions may be have different risk factors.

So how can you determine if your symptoms are related to the common cold, the flu, or is COVID-19? If you have traveled out of the country where COVID-19 is quickly spreading, and it’s been within the past 14 days or less, you should seek medical treatment.

However, do not go directly to the hospital without contacting either your physician or the hospital first. If you have COVID-19, there’s a good chance you will infect others. Healthcare professionals will ensure you get the appropriate testing and treatment, and protect other staff and patients.

Here is a symptom chart to help you determine the difference between a cold, the flu and COVID-19. It was developed by the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

National Mental Health Awareness Month

MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

Mental health is often referred to as behavioral health. Whichever you prefer, get involved.

UNDERSTAND, EDUCATE, OBSERVE, REACH OUT, TAKE ACTION!

What can you do:

Raise awareness and educate the public about various mental or behavioral health disorders.
Understand what it’s like to live with these conditions
Learn how to maintain good behavioral health and wellness.
Take action to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
Know that suicide is a precursor to some forms of behavioral health problems, such as depression or drug abuse. Be observant and reach out.

This year’s theme is Risky Business. As a healthcare professional, learn to recognize habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating a mental illness, or possible signs of a behavioral health problem. Examples of risk factors include

— prescription drug misuse

— internet addiction

— excessive gambling or spending

— risky sexual behaviors.

Mental health organizations across the country are sponsoring events to raise awareness. Check with your local mental or behavioral health organization for information and how you can help.

Category: Medical