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Q&A: What to Know if You’re Over 60
Katie Couric interviews longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia about coronavirus
If you’re in this age group, you’re considered more vulnerable to coronavirus. Is there anything you can do to lower the risk? And how should you prepare in the event you get ill? Katie Couric interivewed longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia. Here’s a snippet:
Couric: Should people in this age group do anything to prepare, just in case they fall ill?
Attia: Noting that testing protocols vary from state to state, older individuals and persons at risk for serious illness are generally given testing priority. Please make sure that you have made contact with your primary care physician so that you have a point of contact prior to your symptoms getting worse. It is also a good idea to have nearby clinic information on hand to consult upon symptom onset to understand the location-specific instructions to get tested. A medical professional can help you by phone to evaluate when you should leave isolation to get tested.
The most concerning symptoms to monitor are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. More generally, it is always a good idea to be in touch with a family member or caretaker who can be involved and support monitoring of symptom progression and providing transportation if and when necessary.
