FROM THE DESK OF THE PARISH NURSE
MAY 17,2020
At this point we know the recommended guidelines on how to protect ourselves and how to prevent the spread of the virus. Wearing masks in public places, frequent hand washing and social distancing 6 feet apart. The questions that most of us now have is when will we get back to “normal”? When can we resume our lives as we once have lived? When will it be safe? And how can that be done? There is much talk about testing, but information is complex and confusing. Depending on what source you read or listen to, the information can differ. Here are some facts from the CDC and State of New Jersey Covid-19 information Hub regarding available tests. There are 2 kinds:
1- Viral test checks for current infection with the Covid-19 virus. It is either a nasal swab or saliva test which checks samples from your respiratory system.
Some tests are point of care tests done at a testing site and results are available within an hour
Others are sent to a lab and analyzed and can take several days.
At this point, testing is only recommended for those exhibiting CDC-recognized symptoms, health care workers, first responders, those in congregate living settings or those who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19
If you do not have symptoms, it is not recommended to be tested unless advised by a health care provider or public official
If you do have symptoms, most are mild and can be managed at home. Notify your Dr who will follow the course of your illness and determine whether hospitalization is required and if testing should be done.
2- Antibody test determines if you had a previous infection with the virus. It is a simple serology (blood) test which is designed to detect antibodies that circulate in our blood to help fight off infections in our body. Antibodies do not appear overnight and can take up to 3 weeks or possibly longer to build up enough of a level in the blood to be detected by the test.
If you test positive:
It means you have antibodies that probably resulted from being infected by the Covid-19 virus or a related coronavirus but cannot be a definitive diagnosis
At this point, we do not know if the antibodies provide immunity from the virus
It is possible that you were “asymptomatic”, which means you had the virus but exhibited no symptoms
If you test negative:
It means that you probably were not infected by the virus
If you have been exposed to the virus recently it can take 1-3 weeks for antibodies to develop
Some people take longer to build antibodies and some don’t develop them at all
At this point, the New Jersey Department of Health states there is a lot that is unknown about the serology test for the Covid-19 antibody test. The CDC is working on a more accurate serology test but it is not available to the public…yet. The bottom line is to be smart as we continue on this journey. When in doubt refer to reputable sites and ask your doctor. New information emerges almost on a daily basis so keep yourself updated! The practice of holistic care always brings us back to Mind, Body and Spirit. Mind- Stay informed, be smart, stay calm. Spirit: Stay connected with your faith. The power of prayer goes a long way! Meditate. Breathe. Body- Eat right. Exercise. Get plenty of sleep.
We are here for you at Holy Trinity to pray with you, help you and walk with you through this journey.
Lori Arena R.N. Parish Nurse
Cell: (908)-337-4103
Email: [email protected]