Evaluation of nutritional status and health behaviors of patients infected with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a health emergency for the world in which started in 2019. Various factors are involved in the pathogenesis of this virus, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), the type of diet, the degree of observance of health protocols, and the health status of people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and health behaviors of patients infected with COVID-19. METHODS: A descriptive-analytical research method was used in this study. One of the outpatient centers for the patients infected with COVID-19 in Kermanshah was selected as the research setting. The study population included all patients infected with COVID-19 and the sample size was 200 people. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Most patients (51%) were females and most of them suffered from body aches (81%) and headaches (94%). Most of the patients (76%) did not use a mask. Regarding the nutritional status, a large number of patients used all food groups such as carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, and vegetables less than the standard amount. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that people with underlying diseases are more prone to the disease than others and adherence to social distancing and mask use helps a lot to control the disease. In addition, the appropriate intake of food groups reduces the severity of the disease by strengthening the immune system in people.

Effect of Nebulized Eucalyptus for Preventing Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Patients Under Mechanical Ventilation: A Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia caused by the ventilator is the most common acquired infection in the intensive care unit (ICU), which increases the morbidity and mortality of the patients. Eucalyptus plant has antiseptic properties that may mollify such morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Eucalyptus incense on prevention of pneumonia in patients with endotracheal tube in the ICU. RESEARCH DESIGN: A randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel groups of 100 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. SETTING: An ICU in a teaching hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Randomization to received Eucalyptus solution 5% (intervention group = 50) and received 10 cc distilled water as an inhaler 3 times/d (every 8 h/d for 20 min) (control group = 50). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of early and delay pneumonia and pulmonary infections based on clinical pulmonary infection criteria were assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of late pneumonia was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with control groups (P < .01). The prevalence of Klebsiella, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus was significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The results present study showed that Eucalyptus inhalation is effective in reducing the incidence of pulmonary infection in patients under ventilation.