KUCHING: It is crucial that symptomatic Covid-19 cases be detected early, said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said for cases in Category 2, early detection allows medical experts to intervene and save lives by avoiding the case from progressing to the next category.
“Covid-19 affects multiple organs but lung infection (pneumonia) is our medical specialist’s biggest worry.
“The challenge in post vaccination era is that you can get infected without knowing it as there are no symptoms.
“Even if you knew that you are infected by Covid-19, your lung may be infected without you realising when you are not getting oxygen,” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Oct 7).
Dr Sim said the effects of silent hypoxia or lack of oxygen is not necessarily limited to shortness of breath or lips turning blue.
“While lacking of oxygen, you will just have subtle delirium (confusion and reduced awareness of the environment), but once you start to exert yourself, (there is a possibility) you might collapse and die,” he said.
The SMDC advisor said a tool to detect hypoxia is the through the use of the pulse oximeter by individuals.
“Pulse oximeter is a very important medical equipment which will detect whether you are suffering from hypoxia unknowingly. Like all instruments, you must know how to use it, and use it correctly.
“Early detection in Category 2, allows medical experts to immediately intervene and save lives,” he said.
