Abstract
The current guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of primary respiratory infections are still useful during the COVID-19 epidemic.Telephone triage of patients with respiratory complaints aims to identify patients with complications or an increased risk of complications.There are no indications to test for SARS-CoV-2 virus in general practice.During this COVID-19 epidemic, protective clothing is recommended in all physical contacts with patients with respiratory complaints.There is no reason to be cautious about using NSAIDs in patients suspected of COVID-19.Amoxicillin is first choice treatment for respiratory infections during the COVID-19 epidemic; there is lack of evidence to support azithromycin as a first choice.Respiratory rate > 24 / min or saturation <92-94% indicate imminent respiratory decompensation and may be reasons for referral.
| Translated title of the contribution | Respiratory complaints in the time of COVID-19: Assessment and approach in general practice |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Article number | D4999 |
| Journal | Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
| Volume | 164 |
| Issue number | 15 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2020 |
Keywords
- Aged, 80 and over
- Amoxicillin/therapeutic use
- Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use
- Betacoronavirus
- COVID-19
- Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis
- Female
- General Practice/methods
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pandemics/prevention & control
- Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis
- Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy
- SARS-CoV-2
- Triage