What is a chest X-ray for Covid-19 and what does it diagnose?

Por

Eden Experts

August 16, 2021

Next, we'll talk to you about the importance of chest x-rays in the current time to monitor COVID-19, as well as the study process and all the considerations you should have before and after doing so, as well as whether they pose risks.

Without a doubt, the pandemic of Covid-19 has left a profound impact on several aspects of our lives. In part, this situation is due to the incidence of the virus in the development of lung infections that complicate the patient's health. If a patient is suspected of suffering from the disease, or if he already has it or is recovering, specialists may recommend that a chest x-ray.

Let's start by learning more about this imaging study.

What is a chest X-ray and what is it for?

La chest x-ray It is ideal for detecting if there is the presence of lung infections, as well as blood blockages in the area, evaluate the mammary glands and pathologies of Heart. This part of the body extends from the neck to the abdomen, where there are many important organs.

Now, a chest x-ray can help us study the health status of these organs because X-ray beams are able to travel through the internal materials of the body: bones, tissues and organs to reproduce it in the images we finally see.

Stressing that it is a painless process with doses of controlled radiation to be performed as many times as necessary in the chest.

Hence, with this Imaging studio Your doctor will be able to know if your chest pain or respiratory failure is associated with pneumonia or pneumonia, tumors, fractures, emphysema or accumulations of air, fluids, placement of medical devices, or heart problems. The study is not only useful for the diagnosis, but to evaluate the evolution of a disease or pathology.

What is the chest X-ray process?

Depending on the health center, they may tell you to go up to a table, sit or stand to take the requested images. To do this, you must remove the Clothes of the torso (they will give you a disposable gown) and remove the jewelry or accessories metallic ones that you have, since they can interfere with the quality of the results and you would have to repeat it.

Normally, when the doctor wants to evaluate certain conditions, he may indicate that you supply your body with some before the study oral or intravenous contrast, the most common in the case of the chest is iodine since it increases blood flow. This compound is inert, you should only tell a specialist if you are allergic.

It is important to highlight that the chest X-ray process is painless, and that due to technological advances, the risks associated with X-ray beams are minimal. Currently, imaging equipment allows radiation doses to be controlled so that exposure is controlled and studies can be done as often as necessary.

For this part of the body, the Radiological Society of North America indicates that radiation It is 0.1 mSv, which is equivalent to a natural exposure to the sun for 10 days. Therefore, you should not be afraid to study, but it is better to take advantage of advantages of chest x-ray to treat and control possible lung or heart disease, since studies such as Tomography Computerized radiation involves a greater amount of radiation of up to 3 years (8 mSv).

In effect, if there is no need for you to be exposed to additional radiation, the doctor should not recommend such studies, which also protects the rest of the body during the process. In this regard, depending on how often this test is required, the specialist may Protect your body with a leaded apron or additional elements and more if there are suspicions of pregnancy.

Instructions for taking images during the study

When we talk about chest x-rays there are two main positions of the body. In the front position you will need to raise your arms or place your hands around your waist while keeping your shoulders forward. To complement, you may be asked to Inhale and hold the air a few seconds to make the images sharper. This is because X-rays reflect all the materials they encounter in their path.

In the case of side socket you will have to place your armpit above the plate and you will also hold your breath for a few seconds, the same procedure being the same for both sides of the body. Remember that there is no associated pain during the chest X-ray.

Advantages of chest x-rays for Covid-19

In short, the chest x-ray It shows both us patients and doctors the lung, heart and bone condition of the area. So, this is one of the most important advantages of the study more when you want to monitor detected pathologies such as pneumonia, which is closely related to the Covid-19.

Thanks to this quick and efficient test, the world's population has been able to fight lung problems caused by coronavirus, as well as making a sSubsequent follow-up to verify that everything is in order. This is true despite the existence and approval of vaccines.

It is important to note that in case of suspicion of Covid-19, or during or after you have had the illness, your doctor may recommend additional studies, such as a chest computed tomography. This study has increased sensitivity than radiography, but its cost is higher.

However, the chest x-ray It is still the first test indicated in patients with suspicion or confirmation of having this disease due to their availability, reliability and low cost.

It is important to note that the optimal thing is to go to have the study done in a laboratory or clinic that guarantees the disinfection and sanitization from space, for avoid risks for both patients and staff.

What do the results of a chest X-ray mean for Covid-19?

As with other clinical tests, it is possible to find false positives or errors on chest x-ray for the diagnosis or monitoring of Covid-19. Possible causes include poor X-ray machine quality, or prominent breasts that make interpretation difficult.

To get to a accurate diagnosis, you must follow the instructions of your doctor, who will know if you need additional tests. Only the specialist will be able to indicate the best one treatment to follow.

The doctor should Interpret your study to find out if what was found is due to Effects of the virus, or if there are secondary or previous conditions that you must attend to. In addition, the Results may vary depending on the Evolution Day of the disease. Therefore, you should tell your doctor in detail what your symptoms to properly plan the carrying out of the chest X-ray.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, doctors have agreed to classify findings such as typical, indeterminate, atypical, or negative. It is always good practice to take together the findings of Other tests, as well as the clinical history of each patient. So no matter what the Report from your study, only your doctor can tell you what steps to take.

Typically, you will receive the Results and interpretation of your chest X-ray one to three days after the study.

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