Covid-19 Update: Testing, Monitoring, and Vitamins/Medications

COVID-19 Testing

For patients with symptoms, the sensitivity of both PCR and antigen tests is improved.

PCR is the most sensitive test but has a long turnaround; antigen testing costs money.

Options:

1. PCR
   • • QUEST: turnaround time 3 to 4 days
     • LA Curative site: turnaround time 2 days
     • Private sites can cost over $100
2. Antigen testing: done in our office
   • • 89% sensitive but drops to 70% if patient has no symptoms
     • Results back within 1 hour; costs $75

Exposed to COVID-19, no symptoms

• Full incubation period is 14 days, but close to 80% develop COVID within 2 to 5 days of exposure.
• A negative test does not exclude the disease and is not a guarantee you will or won’t get coronavirus.

Living in the house with someone positive for COVID-19

• Do not share the same bathroom or bedroom, if possible.
• Wear a mask in common areas.
• You can contract COVID anytime during that period of infectivity of COVID-positive patient.
• Typically, a patient is considered infectious for 10 days. Note this possible scenario: one could contract the disease on their day 10 and incubate for 13 days and come down with COVID a full 24 days after the initial patient first got sick.

Daily monitoring

• Use an oximeter to monitor your oxygen saturation.
• If consistently under 93%, go to the ER.
• Monitor your symptoms and temperature daily.

Vitamins and medications

• Prophylaxis
  • Vitamin D3 1000IU to 3000 IU daily
  • Vitamin C 1000 mg twice daily
  • Quercetin 250 mg once daily
  • Zinc 50 mg daily
  • Melatonin 6 mg nightly
• Early Outpatient Protocol
  • Vitamin D3 4000 IU daily
  • Vitamin C 2000 mg twice daily
  • Quercetin 250 mg twice daily
  • Zinc 100 mg daily
  • Melatonin 10 mg nightly
  • Aspirin 325 mg daily
  • Pepcid optional 20 mg once daily
  • Ivermectin (prescription) 0.2mg/kg one dose day 1 and 3
• Monoclonal antibody for eligible COVID-19 patients
  • Enhanced immune attack on the virus, limits viral replication.
  • Used for outpatients not requiring oxygen; single 700mg dose administered by home infusion.
  • Eligible patients:
    • Test positive for SARS-COV2/COVID-19, and within 10 days of symptom onset
    • 65 years or older
    • Obese with BMI over 35
    • Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or on immunosuppressive meds/chemotherapy
    • Over 55 years old with hypertension, respiratory disease or cardiovascular disease

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