Many people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 are unaware they are infected because they have no obvious symptoms.
The COVID-19 virus can attack the lungs and lower your blood oxygen levels. When blood oxygen levels are below normal and severe symptoms occur, sometimes patients only feel fatigue and weakness (silent hypoxia, 31.9%) or obvious shortness of breath (typical hypoxia, 68.1%). These situations are very dangerous.
A pulse oximeter can monitor a patient's blood oxygen levels at any time. When blood oxygen levels drop, everyone knows to seek immediate medical attention.
Dangerous indicators of blood oxygen saturation:
1. Blood oxygen saturation < 90%: Indicates that the patient may be experiencing severe illness and requires immediate medical attention.
2. Blood oxygen saturation 91% to 94%: Indicates that the patient may be progressing with COVID-19 and may need to be assessed immediately by phone or video.
3. Blood oxygen saturation 95% to 100%: Normal. Don't worry!
