Medical Reports says that many patients have COVID-19 Pneumonia, but have not complained of breathing problems, they are not aware that something is slowly attacking their lungs. The infection is causing something called “Silent Hypoxia”, a form of oxygen deprivation which is difficult to detect.
Pneumonia is a lung disease characterized by inflammation of the airspaces in the lungs, most commonly due to an infection. It results in Hypoxia, a condition in which blood doesn't carry enough oxygen to your tissues to meet your body's needs.
Pulse Oximeters measures Blood Oxygen saturation level, it develops the graphical Trend and it could indicate COVID-19 pneumonia
The Normal Range of Arterial Blood oxygen in human is defined as 94 -100%. Patients detected with less than 90% of Spo2 (Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen) could be suffering from Hypoxia. This can indicate Silent Pneumonia. COVID pneumonia patients had oxygen saturations as low as 50%.
When COVID pneumonia first strikes, patients don't feel short of breathe, even as their oxygen levels fall. And by the time they have alarmingly low oxygen levels, it develops Moderate-to-Severe Pneumonia (as seen on chest X-rays).
While interpreting the x-ray, the radiologist will look for white spots in the lungs, such as abscesses or pleural effusions/Consolidation (fluid surrounding the lungs).
There are a number of Applications for pulse oximetry, including:
to evaluate whether someone needs help breathing
to assess how well a new lung medication is working
to evaluate whether someone momentarily stops breathing while sleeping
to evaluate how helpful a ventilator is
to monitor oxygen levels during or after surgical procedures that require sedation
A Simple Finger Tip Pulse oximeters usually sold from $25 to $200 (Rs.2000 to 15,000). However, most of the Pulse Oximeters are not certified by FDA or CE or not intended for medical use and have not been put through the same rigorous testing. Even a pulse oximeter designated for medical use must be interpreted thoughtfully in the context of other physical signs by Physician.
P.S: News Papers reported number of cases where public screening done using Infrared Thermometers are not effective when infected patients lowered their body temperature using Medications like Paracetamol. In susch cases, Pulse oximeters or Alternative Blood Oxygen Measuring Devices like ABG Analyzer can be used as a secondary method for quick check of Pneumonia.
Links : The New York Times , Mayoclinic.org
Nice artical sir
@ammar khan : Pneumonia is one of the complication. But not found in all patients. Pneumonia results in Hypoxia (Spo2(%) level drops), there can be changes in Heart Rate too(Another measured parameter in Pulse oximetry)
@ Nithyadharsini Durairaj : There are videos in Youtube on Pulse Oximetry Principle and Working. For Advanced learning check for Technical write ups.
@FAizy Mohamed vlogz : You're Welcome.
Thank you sir Sir please share any video
Great Article. So it means if a person is infected he can see a drop in his oxygen level post a week of being infected?? Is it true that Covid 19 patients show hypoxia?? drop in oxygen saturation level??
It's really understanding...thnk u sir