Trump could leave hospital as early as Monday: 4 things we learned Sunday about his medical status
President Donald Trump “has continued to improve” but faced serious symptoms on Friday, the White House physician said Sunday, seeking to clarify contradictory statements and confusion that previously raised questions about the seriousness of the president’s condition.
Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged the confusion and offered new details as he addressed the media from on the steps of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump was being treated for COVID-19. ‘I’m starting to feel good’- Trump releases 4 minute video from hospital
Conley said the president had a “high fever” and a blood oxygen level below 94% on Friday before he was hospitalized.
“The president has continued to improve,”
Conley said.
While Trump’s medical status is being closely guarded, here’s what we know about the president’s condition:
Trump could be discharged as early as Monday
“Our hope is we can plan for a discharge for as early as tomorrow,” one of the doctors treating the president said to reporters on Sunday.
Of course, this is dependent on whether Trump’s condition continues to improve. Doctors said the president would continue his treatment from the White House. Pres. Trump coronavirus diagnosis: Who else tested positive, who else tested negative?
Trump’s expected stay of “a few days” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was precautionary, according to White House officials.
On Friday night, he began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. It was largely believed Trump would remain in the hospital through that treatment window — although it now sounds like he could be discharged earlier than that.
Trump received oxygen Saturday
Dr. Sean P. Conley, the physician to the president, said Sunday that Trump’s oxygen saturation levels dropped on Saturday
There’s no indication that Trump has had a fever in the last 48 hours.
On Sunday, Conley again denied reports the president has experienced shortness of breath — even as multiple news outlets, including NewsNation, reported that Trump suffered that symptom 24 hours earlier.
Conley also noted there’s no reason to believe Trump has suffered lung damage noting, there’s “nothing of major clinical concern.”
Symptoms, when they do occur, usually appear two to 14 days after infection and can include loss of smell or taste, coughing, a sore throat, trouble breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
Up to half of patients who are hospitalized don’t have a fever when admitted but nearly all develop one. How people fare varies widely — some seem to be recovering and then suddenly worsen.
His symptoms continue to improve, according to doctors
In Sunday’s update, Trump’s chief doctor continued to express cautious optimism after noting Saturday the president was “not yet out of the woods.”
On Saturday, Conley said that Trump’s symptoms, including a mild cough, nasal congestion and fatigue, “are now resolving and improving.” It’s worth noting Trump is taking aspirin, which lowers body temperature and could mask or mitigate that symptom.
Initial reports Friday morning were that the president was suffering very mild symptoms. As the day continued, there were multiple reports his condition was slowly worsening.
“This is serious,” an adviser to the president told CNN on Friday evening, noting Trump was very fatigued and having some trouble breathing.
“Our fear is that things can change quick,” the adviser said.
He’s receiving numerous medical treatments
The president has taken dexamethasone, according to Conley. It is a potent steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Trump also continues to receive remdesivir. The drug is the only treatment that’s been shown in a rigorous experiment to help fight the coronavirus.
Earlier on Friday, Trump’s physician said the president received a dose of an experimental antibody combination by Regeneron that is in clinical trials. Trump at higher risk of virus complications over age, weight
The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus and remdesivir curbs the virus’s ability to multiply.
He also was taking zinc, vitamin D, an antacid called famotidine, melatonin and aspirin. None of those have been proven to be effective against COVID-19.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: fox2now.com