COVID-19 patients in critical condition are often hospitalised and the ones with a major dip in their oxygen levels are even given oxygen externally. However, millions of COVID-19 patients are also undergoing home isolation across the country for various reasons. One of the most important aspects of COVID-19 treatment, whether at home or in the hospital, is to check the patient's oxygen level, consistently. The patients are advised to monitor their oxygen level from time to time and a dip below 92 needs urgent medical attention.

When the coronavirus infection reaches the lungs patients may have trouble breathing. Doctors rush patients seeing a dip in the oxygen level to the hospital. Oximeter plays a crucial role in this case. This handy device can help you check your oxygen levels easily at home. But since its usage has increased during the pandemic, many believe that an oximeter can determine whether a person is COVID-19 positive or not. This is not true. So, what is a pulse oximeter? How can you take SpO2 reading on this device? Here's everything about oximeter that you should know of. Can a Simple Pulse Oximeter Detect COVID-19 Symptoms at Home? Here's How the Device Works to Measure Oxygen Levels in Your Body. 

What is an Oximeter And How To Use?

A pulse oximeter is a small device with a digital display, also called PPO i.e. a portable pulse oximeter. Like a paper or cloth clip, it is pressed into the patient's finger to check the body's oxygen levels. It has to be turned on before or after being stuck onto the finger and with the help of this device, the patient's pulse and blood oxygen levels are detected. Its reading is shown on the digital display. Through this, COVID-19 patients can check their oxygen level at regular intervals.

How Does an Oximeter Work?

On turning on the pulse oximeter, a light is seen inwards. The light on your skin can detect the colour and movement of blood cells. Your blood cells, which contain the right amount of oxygen, appear bright red, while the rest looks dark red.

What Is The Optimum Oxygen Level?

The saturation level of oxygen in the blood of a healthy normal person is between 95 and 100 percent. Oxygen level below 95 percent indicates some kind of lung problem.  Experts say that oxygen levels below 90 percent can indicate serious health issues in a person and they should be taken to the hospital. People with low oxygen levels may need oxygen support. Although this standard is for a normal person and may differ from patient to patient. Therefore a doctor's advice is a MUST.

What is SpO2 in Oximeter?

SpO2 refers to the oxygen saturation level. It's a measure of the amount of oxygen circulating in blood vessels that helps us in breathing. The normal SpO2 is considered between 95 and 100 percent.

Pulse Oximeter Does NOT Detect COVID-19!

Oxygen levels in the body can be low due to many reasons. A low oxygen level does not mean that the person taking the test has contracted COVID-19. This device does not tell whether someone is infected by coronavirus or not. It only helps to monitor oxygen levels. This, however, helps to ascertain whether the patient needs to be taken to the hospital or not.

Why is Oximeter Important During COVID-19 Pandemic

An oximeter is normally used to monitor patients after surgery. However, it is also found in the homes of patients suffering from respiratory diseases like asthma, eosinophilia, etc. The data reflecting on the pulse oximeter may or may not suggests whether the patient needs extra oxygen. The importance of this machine has increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of an oximeter, early diagnosis of COVID-19 can take place which, in turn, can reduce the death rate. However, we would like to reiterate the fact that an oximeter doesn't determine whether or not you have COVID-19.

About availability and prices, you must know that oximeters are easily available online and offline. You can get it at your nearest chemist shop but it is advisable that you get it online from various medical non-medical shopping sites. The price can range from 800 to 4000 depending on the features.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 12, 2021 11:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).