Community | Roots Health DPC

COVID 19 Timeline Information
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COVID 19 Timeline Information

ndiaz2021-05-08T12:54:48+00:00November 9th, 2020|Adults, Community, Coronavirus, Family Medicine, Family Practice, Pandemic|

The disease that is caused by the SARS CoV2 virus presents and transmits like many other respiratory viruses which makes it difficult to identify and contain. I would like to provide information about the period from when someone is exposed to the SARS CoV2 virus, when they are infectious, and when they are most likely to have a positive test.

The graph above illustrates the timeline of COVID-19 illness after exposure.

Incubation period is the estimated amount of time it may take for someone to develop COVID-19 after exposure. Right now, for adults it is about 2-14 days. This is why we use the 14 day guideline for close-contact quarantine period.

Studies show that PCR tests for coronavirus can detect up to 98% of cases by day 7-8 after exposure.

Infectious period is when you are contagious after exposure to the virus. Most respiratory viruses have an infectious period of about 48hrs before symptoms develop. Anyone that has been in contact with someone with COVID-19 48hrs before that person’s symptoms began should quarantine for 14 days. The end of the infectious period can vary, but is defined as being fever free for at least 24 hours AND 10 days from symptom onset.

The local health department contact tracers are not able to reach out to every person (roughly 50% of people are being contacted who have been exposed). This is why it is important for the general public to know these guidelines so we can appropriately notify our potential close contacts to help mitigate the spread.

Be well, everyone. Stay diligent… wear a mask, wash hands, social distance and try (if possible) to keep interactions with folks brief. This will reduce your risk of transmission, and also your chance of needing to quarantine.

Dr Natasha Diaz

Roots Health DPC – Part of the solution
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Roots Health DPC – Part of the solution

ndiaz2021-05-08T13:20:44+00:00August 28th, 2020|Community, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Membership, Pandemic|

Your Health is more important now than ever before.

Our communities continue to struggle to handle this pandemic and I have more questions than answers. What will be the long term effects on the bodies of patients who have had Covid-19? How will we ensure that children have appropriate social-emotional development and education? Who will bear the economic burden of a failed health care system?

If I spend too much time in the future, I become quickly overwhelmed. What I believe is true, is that we have today. Today, I am grateful for my health, nutritious meals, my home, and my family. I can take action today, to take care of myself physically and emotionally. I can ensure my body gets the sleep and exercise that it needs. I can take precautions to protect my health and well-being and I can reach out to others in service.

I created Roots Health DPC to be part of the solution for a broken health care system. I believe people deserve health care that is affordable with transparent pricing. I know that sick patients have improved outcomes when they have a physician who advocates on their behalf. It is my belief that patients and physicians should be the only ones involved in medical decision-making and that third party intrusions actually make outcomes worse and increase costs. This becomes evident when we look at US health care spending and mortality rates.

I encourage you to take action today to take care of yourself and your family. As a member of Roots Health DPC, you can be reassured that you have unlimited access to your physician at all times in the event that you or a loved one becomes ill. When we are sick, we are not able to advocate well for ourselves. As a patient or caregiver you might question whether you or your loved one needs an evaluation urgently. As a board-certified physician with experience in Emergency Medicine, I can evaluate and assess your health care needs quickly and accurately to help you navigate difficult health concerns. Roots Health DPC members have virtually unlimited access to their physician and they find a strong health care advocate by their side when they are in need.

I encourage you to consider enrollment in Roots Health DPC and join the health care solution to build healthy families and communities. Set up a time to meet me, Dr Diaz, and learn more.

Coronavirus in our Community

ndiaz2020-07-29T14:23:41+00:00July 29th, 2020|Community, Direct Primary Care, Family Medicine, Membership, Pandemic|

During the pandemic, and as we enter the second wave, I am grateful to live in Illinois. Our state implemented strict measures that curbed the rampant spread of the disease early in the course and I am confident that the people of Illinois will continue to take measures to decrease the spread of this virus. There are many things beyond our control during this pandemic and there are still many unknowns. Wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands are the things that each person does have an ability, and in fact a responsibility, to do, to control the spread.

I wanted to share with you this recently published article in JAMA CARDIOLOGY.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2768916

In this group of patients it was demonstrated that there is cardiac involvement in 78% of patients months after the diagnosis of COVID-19. These patients had a mean age of 49 and the heart complications occurred independent of the severity/course of the illness and regardless of underlying conditions. We still need more information on the long-term effects of this virus.

Please continue to take precautions now as the numbers begin to increase. If you are sick with fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, stomach flu, new rash, or loss of smell please obtain testing and quarantine until you have the results. It is recommended that when you are in quarantine you do not visit others or go out of your home until your test results are determined. If you are a member of Roots Health DPC please call us so that we can arrange for your appropriate care.

Stay safe and be well.

Natasha Diaz, MD