COVID-19 answers from a Westchester pediatrician

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Hi everyone,

How quickly we went from a lively game of What’s On My Butt? to debating whether to prioritize the elderly or the unemployed. The COVID-19 virus has spread beyond anything we have ever experienced in our lifetimes, and odds are you know people who have gotten ill. There’s a lot of info out there, but not a lot of advice geared toward parents in our community. We spoke with fellow parent and Westchester pediatrician Nitin Gupta (that amazing doctor who makes house calls!) who answered our most pressing questions and gave us his no-filter advice on what we should and shouldn’t do during this pandemic.

Please be sure to check with your physician before following any medical advice.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VIRUS

Q: I feel sick! What do I do?
A: Call your physician and stay home if you have mild to moderate symptoms.  

Q: Okay, I don’t think I feel thaaat sick, but now that you mention it . . . what symptoms should I be worried about?
A: The biggest symptom to take seriously is if you or your child is showing signs of respiratory distress.

Know the symptoms of respiratory distress:

  • fast breathing (over 20 breaths per minute)

  • high heart rate (over 100 beats per minute)

  • blue or pale lips

  • grayish skin

  • confusion

  • shortness of breath

  • coughing

  • weakness

  • grunting

  • nose flaring (nostrils open wide)

  • wheezing

  • body position requiring sitting up and leaning forward (“tripoding”)

  • retractions (the chest appears to sink in just below the neck or under the breastbone with each breath or both. This is one way of trying to bring more air into the lungs, and can also be seen under the rib cage or even in the muscles between the ribs)

  • sweating (there may be increased sweat on the head, but the skin does not feel warm to the touch. More often, the skin may feel cool or clammy. This may happen when the breathing rate is very fast.)


Q: How can I tell if my illness is COVID-19, or just the flu or a cold?
A: You can't. COVID-19 is so widespread that anyone and everyone with cold symptoms must assume they have COVID-19, and react accordingly.

Q: Should I get tested for flu or cold?
A: There never was a point in getting tested for a cold. Your physician might consider starting Tamiflu if you test positive for the flu, but it's best to stay home. At this point, you run a serious risk of getting infected with COVID-19 when you go to get tested.

Q: When do I go to urgent care or the ER?
A: Injuries and lacerations can still happen right now and that would be a good time to go to an urgent care. Reserve your ER visit if you are likely to be hospitalized. It's very important that you speak with your doctor before going to an urgent care or ER because you are putting yourself at risk of catching COVID-19.

Q: If I’m feeling sick, what isolation safeguards do I need to practice?
A: If you are sick, it's best to isolate yourself in a separate room if possible throughout the duration of your illness. That is next to impossible but try your best.

Q: Is there anything I need to stock up on?
A: Make sure you have the basics like food and formula. In terms of medications, it’s always good to have acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, antibiotic ointments and Benadryl. It also doesn't hurt to ask your physician to send in extra refills on your regular medications.

Q: Everyone’s nose is running. Should I be afraid?
A: Every running nose should be considered COVID-19. If it is allergies, there’s no harm in trying a non-drowsy allergy medication. Even if you have the virus, there is no need to be afraid unless symptoms are worsening. If that happens as described above, seek advice from your physician.

Q: Okay, what if I realllllly think it’s COVID-19?
A: If you really think it's COVID-19, then stay inside! There is no treatment. COVID-19 symptoms are cold symptoms until they’re not. It can develop into a viral pneumonia and if you are having difficulty breathing, then you will likely need hospitalization. Again, keep in contact with your physician.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING

Q: What’s safe for the kids to do? Can they go outside at all? Can they visit playgrounds?
A: No playgrounds or playdates. They can go outside and play in the yard but have to keep a safe distance (at least 6 feet) away from other people. DO NOT share toys or playground equipment.

Q: Can they ride in the car with me if they don’t get out? Like to get takeout?
A: It's best to designate one family member to go out to pick up food and essentials. There is always a risk of infection or spreading the infection every time we go outside. This isn't about hand washing anymore—we are discovering that this virus can linger in the air for three hours. That’s why no one should venture around people at this point.

Q: If a parent goes out, what health precautions should we practice when we return home? Do we need to change our clothes or shower or is washing our hands enough?
A: Hand washing is not enough. Definitely change your clothes. Shower if practical.

Q: What if our kids ate for free at school and we don’t have enough food to feed them at home for the next month? Do you know of any resources to help with that?
A: We have to minimize the risks of exposure as much as we can. Feeding our children is very important and if it means going out to get food, then we have to do that. Look to food pantries and local governments to see what they can do for food assistance.

Q: Can I take my baby to his wellness appointment?
A: The AAP recommends that infants should still get their wellness check ups. However, this infection is widespread in Westchester and a physician's office is likely to be coated with the infection despite every infection control measure they are taking. I am personally doing all well exams as house calls at this point because it minimizes the risk of exposure for my families.

Thank you, Dr. Gupta! The biggest takeaway from this is:

  • COVID-19 is so widespread you should assume it has covered Westchester. Do not leave your property unless you absolutely need to. Please consider very seriously what “essential” really means. Can you live without sliced bread for a few weeks? Use contact-free delivery or curbside pickup for essential items. It’s very risky to enter any stores right now.

  • The United States does not have enough tests for everyone. We wish it weren’t so, but that is the situation and it doesn’t appear to be changing. If you think you are sick, you will most likely not be offered a test. This does not mean you are not infected with COVID-19. This does not mean you aren’t contagious.

  • In fact, because the illness takes days to show up as cold symptoms in the infected, people can (AND WILL) move around while contagious and infect others without any signs. With the numbers New York is reporting, you should assume that someone in a store you are in has an undiagnosed infection. That’s why staying home or curbside/delivery is your best bet.

  • If you are sick, the best course of action is to stay home. Don’t run out to try to get tested. Don’t run out for any treatments (no medicines have been shown to work). Do not leave your home. You and the rest of the population are safest when you stay home. Rest and recover at home. The only exception is if you think you are experiencing respiratory distress. Then please immediately consult with your doctor.

  • The only people you should be in contact with are the ones who live in your house. Let’s do our part to halt this virus so we can lessen the global impact and move towards being able to do all the fun stuff that made me want to start this blog in the first place.

Be safe out there!

Andrea

PS: You can find out more about Dr. Gupta’s practice, RIvertowns Pediatrics, by visiting their website. And if you appreciate this info, sign up for our mailing list, follow BabyGotChat on Facebook or Instagram. and visit our website for blog posts, events, recommendations, and more.