I tested positive for COVID19 what to do in 2022DOCTOR IN THE FAMILY

By Natan Schleider, M.D.  Written 12/31/2021   3 Minute Read

DISCLAIMER: WRITTEN BELOW IS BASED ON CDC AND NIH GUIDELINES AS OF 12/31/2021. OBVIOUSLY THESE GUIDLINES CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

‘Hi Dr. Schleider, I just tested positive for COVID19, now what should I do?’

Here are my suggestions for what to do when you call asking: I just tested positive for COVID19 [in 2022] now what should I do?’

You should be prepared to answer my questions so I can give you advice!

Dr. Schleider: What kind of test did you have, a rapid test (essentially the same as a home test) or a PCR test (which is the one sent to the lab)? I ask because the rapid / home tests are likely to test positive if you have asymptomatic COVID19 ONLY 35% of the time. If you have COVID19 symptoms you are likely to test positive 64.2% of the time. THIS MEANS THERE IS A FALSE POSITIVE RATE OF 35.8% ON HOME OR RAPID TESTS. However, there true negative rate is 92% which is reassuring. [SOURCE: Evaluation of Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Test for SARS-CoV-2 Infection at Two Community-Based Testing Sites — Pima County, Arizona, November 3–17, 2020 | MMWR (cdc.gov)]

Patient: I had a home test and it tested positive for COVID19, you still haven’t told me what I should do?

Dr. Schleider: If you want to be certain that your home or rapid test is indeed accurate, go get a PCR test.

Patient: Will do but what should I do or take in the meantime?

Dr. Schleider: My personal advice and what I advise my own family is to treat any symptoms aggressively. For example, if you have a runny nose with post nasal drip that is a breeding ground for not only COVID19 but other nasty infections like flus or bacteria that cause bronchitis or pneumonia. Get yourself the following: Zyrtec-D, a decongestant like Sudafed, Flonase, and a nasal rinse and decongestant which are available over the counter. USE ALL OF THEM ROUND THE CLOCK UNTIL FOR AT LEAST 1-2 WEEKS (I WILL COACH YOU THROUGH THIS OR ASK YOUR PHARMACIST FOR DOSING).

Patient: Is there anything else I can do, for example, I am developing a bad cough, maybe another bug has moved in?

Dr. Schleider: Great point. Having an antibacterial antibiotic on hand and an antifly antibiotic on hand can’t hurt.

AND MY BIGGEST CURRENT PIECE OF ADVICE IS TO START A CORTICOSTEROID LIKE A MEDROL DOSE PACK IF YOU ARE HOME, TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID19, WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SYMPTOMS ARE WORSENING.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH (NIH) SAYS DOES NOT RECOMMEND STARTING A CORTICOSTEROID (IE DEXAMETHASONE OR PREDNISONE) FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTs NOT REQUIRING OXYGEN CITING NOT ENOUGH DATA.

HOWEVER, IF A HOSPITALIZED PATIENT DOES REQUIRE OXYGEN THE NIH SAYS THEY SHOULD GET A CORTICOSTEROID.

WHY WAIT UNTIL THE PATIENT IS TURNING BLUE AND NEEDS OXYGEN? START A CORTICOSTERIOD AND SEE HOW THE PATIENT DOES. WORST CASE IT DOES NOT HELP SYMPTOMS AND YOU END UP GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. BEST CASE HOSPITALIZATION IS AVOIDED AND YOUR LIFE MAY HAVE BEEN SAVED.

ABOUT NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians.

NYC primary care doctors in NYC AND primary medical care in NYC are provided under one roofLike an umbrella for two, we Got You Covered!

 

Updated by Natan Schleider, M.D. March 21st, 2021

 

Before we offered psychiatric care in NYC AND primary care in NYC we were average patients who lived in New York City.

We noticed some issues:

First of all  NYC psychiatrists ONLY dealt with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health  / psychiatric problems. So they couldn’t even evaluate us for strep throat? Why not, I mean, didn’t they go to medical school.

The second issue: NYC primary care physicians would treat most common medical conditions, but almost always sent us to a NYC psychiatrist for anything mental health care related. That made no sense. For example, if ‘flight related anxiety’ was our concern, NYC PCPS referred us for NYC Psychiatry care. They might sooner advise a few alcoholic drinks at the bar to relax than prescribed a handful of if needed non-controlled anti anxiety medicines? Again, that made no sense to ue.

Dr. Natan Schleider, M.D. recalls the following:

I travelled from Manhattan to Brooklyn, from uptown to downtown. Finding a psychiatrist who worked with my insurance and friendly and accessible was impossible.

After an hour in a crowded waiting room, I’m hustled into a tiny exam room.

The psychiatrist rushed in. ‘Your GP wouldn’t prescribe you Prozac 10 mg, the oldest safest SSRI there is, why?!’ she said.

Before I could shrug she was out the door. My prescription drifted down to the exam table like a feather. The thirty second consult was over.

On the way out, I payed my 20 dollar copay, a lot of money for a college student with six figures of student debt. I was ‘lucky’ according to the receptionist that a follow up appointment was available in exactly 30 days—exactly when I would have zero pills left.

Why did I have to see different doctors to treat my brain and my body?

The concept of one-stop shop is hardly new, it’s a cliché.

Believing that New York City patients benefit from NYC  psychiatrist care AND primary  care under one roof became out goal,

Dr. Natan Schleider, a primary care physician and addiction medicine doctor specializing in mental health, called his friend  Dr. Marc Epstein, a NYC Psychiatrist. They joined forces.

Now NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians  care for New York for our NYC office or via telemedicine, whichever is best for the patient.

Please ­contact us  by calling or texting 646-957-5444 with any questions or schedule an appointment

For more unique info check out our blog.

ABOUT NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians.

NYC primary care doctors in NYC AND primary medical care in NYC are provided under one roofLike an umbrella for two, we Got You Covered!

 

Updated by Natan Schleider, M.D. March 21st, 2021

 

Before we offered psychiatric care in NYC AND primary care in NYC we were average patients who lived in New York City.

We noticed some issues:

First of all  NYC psychiatrists ONLY dealt with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health  / psychiatric problems. So they couldn’t even evaluate us for strep throat? Why not, I mean, didn’t they go to medical school.

The second issue: NYC primary care physicians would treat most common medical conditions, but almost always sent us to a NYC psychiatrist for anything mental health care related. That made no sense. For example, if ‘flight related anxiety’ was our concern, NYC PCPS referred us for NYC Psychiatry care. They might sooner advise a few alcoholic drinks at the bar to relax than prescribed a handful of if needed non-controlled anti anxiety medicines? Again, that made no sense to ue.

Dr. Natan Schleider, M.D. recalls the following:

I travelled from Manhattan to Brooklyn, from uptown to downtown. Finding a psychiatrist who worked with my insurance and friendly and accessible was impossible.

After an hour in a crowded waiting room, I’m hustled into a tiny exam room.

The psychiatrist rushed in. ‘Your GP wouldn’t prescribe you Prozac 10 mg, the oldest safest SSRI there is, why?!’ she said.

Before I could shrug she was out the door. My prescription drifted down to the exam table like a feather. The thirty second consult was over.

On the way out, I payed my 20 dollar copay, a lot of money for a college student with six figures of student debt. I was ‘lucky’ according to the receptionist that a follow up appointment was available in exactly 30 days—exactly when I would have zero pills left.

Why did I have to see different doctors to treat my brain and my body?

The concept of one-stop shop is hardly new, it’s a cliché.

Believing that New York City patients benefit from NYC  psychiatrist care AND primary  care under one roof became out goal,

Dr. Natan Schleider, a primary care physician and addiction medicine doctor specializing in mental health, called his friend  Dr. Marc Epstein, a NYC Psychiatrist. They joined forces.

Now NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians  care for New York for our NYC office or via telemedicine, whichever is best for the patient.

Please ­contact us  by calling or texting 646-957-5444 with any questions or schedule an appointment

For more unique info check out our blog.