Do you need to buy a pulse oximeter?

 Do you need to buy a pulse oximeter?

First, don't panic!

Majority of those with covid will clear out within a week. They don't need a Pulse Oximeter at all. This is for those with worsening symptoms beyond 72hrs. Rest can stop reading here.

If you have someone at home with covid symptoms beyond 3-5 days which seems to be getting worse, it's a good idea to get hold of a Pulse Oximeter. The device in simple terms measures the oxygen saturation in blood. It also shows the pulse alongside saturation.

It's available in the market (online or in pharmacies) for anywhere between 1200-5000Rs. Runs on double AAA batteries. It's best used in the index, thumb or the middle finger of the dominant hand. The hand must be at or below the heart level when measuring it. Measure at least four to five times a day. Don't miss out on the measurements around evening and before going to bed. Create a Viber/WhatsApp group with your family members and note it there. Eg 530pm Spo2 95 Pulse 78 Temp 99.5

The normal levels for an adult are between 95-98. When it "persistently" falls to 92/93, that's when you should talk to a concerned doctor regarding further management. This could mean a visit to hospital or even an admission for observation. This holds true especially for patients above 60 and those with other chronic diseases and those with diabetes regardless of age. 

If there is a confusion whether the reading is right or not, or if it is fluctuating, one way to confirm is to make the person walk around 30-40 steps with the probe on. If the saturation tends to dip consistently below 92 then that's a red flag sign.

Covid patients tend to have what's called "happy hypoxia" in which patients may not have shortness of breath (dyspnea, स्वाँ स्वाँ) until it drops really really low (spo2 of 80s) so it's important to catch the downward spiral before it happens. This is where home monitoring with pulse oximeter helps. The medicines available at present tend to work better if started before the saturation falls too much. 

Waiting for shortness of breath especially for those above 60 isn't a smart thing to do. The chaos of finding an ICU/HDU at that point in time complicates things further.

Hope that helps.

My best wishes to you and your family

!