a thought? Question? Since the lungs are so involved what about chest x-ray instead of a test?

[demtenjeep]

would that help?

[hlthe2b]

1. They are, if symptomatic. In China, they were catching consistent signs on CT scans before fully

symptomatic, but they had many many many PORTABLE CT units. We have portable x-ray machines, but few portable CTs--most CT units are the enormous tube type like the most common MRI units. Not a great situation for rapid processing patients. The best we can do routinely and rapidly is portable x-ray and ultrasound.

[mitch96]

8. Ex CT tech here and a Lo Dose 4 slice CT scan is more sensitive than a chest xray

Acutally the low dose survey CT is about the same or lower dose than a chest xray.
and AND AND you get a lot more information from the test. The appearance of the type of pneumonia that Covid produces (ground glass apperance) will show up quite well on the CT.
It's quick also. One breath hold bing bang boom and your done. A chest xray will do in a pinch. That's what they used before the CT.... back in the stone age..
I did mobile CT and MRI also and the unit is in a trailer like the 18 wheelers use. GE, Seimens and Phillips make them although I'm partial to GE Their stuff just works better and breaks less..
m

[still_one]

2. I don't think so, unless of course there are symptoms to indicate the need for an xray. The reason

being is not everyone is subject to a pneumonia because of this

The best course is to test as many people as possible, social distancing, and shelter in place until a vaccine and an appropriate therapy is found

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Yes the chest X Ray is used.

[unblock]

4. It's a help I guess, but a rather imperfect solution

First, there radiation involved. Not much, but it's not risk-free. The nasal swab test is nearly risk-free.

Second, you get both false positives and false negatives. That is, you might have it in an early stage but your lungs are not yet affected enough to show up on the films. Conversely, the films might show a problem but it's actually due to something else. Not the worst thing to detect something unrelated, but as a COVID-19 test, it's technically a fail.

Third, films require human interpretation, making it time- and labor-intensive and error prone.

Fourth, it's more expensive. Well, certainly ct scans are.


That said, if you have no proper tests available, it might not be a bad idea to use the tools you actually have....

[dewsgirl]

5. They started doing this in Wuhan.

[procon]

6. Lots of disease processes affect the lungs.

Pneumonia, asthma, COPD, emphysema, as well as the corona virus, share many if the same symptoms. An x-ray might show the lungs were filling with fluid and losing capacity, making it harder for patients to breathe, but that doesn't identify the cause.

Looking at the x-ray alone would not be enough to make a definitive diagnosis

[KY_EnviroGuy]

7. No.

My impression from reviewing medical sources is that by the time it is distinctive on x-ray, you're in serious shit if it is CV.

If the person is in any way symptomatic, they will run a virus test and extensive blood work as well.

If you have the time, I suggest watching this video. The guy looks like a doofus but really knows his shit:

COVID-19 | Corona Virus: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnostics
2,857,994 views
Premiered Mar 16, 2020

If you don't want to watch the parts about how it was originated and how it's transmitted, skip the first 14 or so minutes.

Being high risk, this video really got my attention......

[mitch96]

9. Absolutely fascinating nt

[mitch96]

10. Ex Ct tech here..

Acutally the low dose survey CT is about the same or lower dose than a chest xray.
and AND you get a lot more information from the CT. The appearance of the type of pneumonia that Covid produces (ground glass apperance) will show up quite well on the CT.
It's quick also. One breath hold bing bang boom and your done. A chest xray will do in a pinch. That's what they used before the CT.... back in the stone age..
I did mobile CT and MRI also and the unit is in a trailer like the 18 wheelers use. GE, Seimens and Phillips make them although I'm partial to GE Their stuff just works better and breaks less..
m

[demtenjeep]

11. it seems to me then if a test is not possible

this could help

[mitch96]

12. To determine pneumonia if you don't have a CT a chest xray is the next best thing...

That's what Dr's used before the CT. Worked then and will work now. The CT will "see" a pneumona sooner than a CXR If there is underlying pathology the CT is better differentiating the pathology than a CXR and therefore you can start treatment sooner.
Dat's me story and I'm sticking to it!
m