How Do We Explain ‘Happy’ Hypoxia?

Hypoxia refers to very low oxygen levels in the blood. The normal oxygen saturation in the bloodstream of a healthy person is above 95%, but COVID-19 patients display dangerous declines of as less as 70%. ¹

In serious cases of COVID-19, patients struggle to breathe (breathlessness), but early in the disease, low oxygen saturation isn’t always coupled with obvious respiratory difficulties. As a result, in the initial stages of sickness, the COVID-19 patient, on the outside, appears to be alright and ‘happy’. The medical term for this condition is Silent Hypoxemia. ²

How To Identify ‘Happy’ Hypoxia In Patients Who Have Mild Symptoms?²

Besides having the typical COVID-19 symptoms, if a person has happy hypoxia, they might experience:

• Change of the colour of lips from natural tone to blue
• Skin discolouration to red or purple tone 
• Profuse sweating even when not doing arduous physical work 

Even while portraying only minor symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, sore throat, fever, headaches, without any perceivable breathing difficulty, it is advised to continuously measure blood oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter.

Do You Need a Pulse Oximeter At Home?³

The benefit is clear for patients (not hospitalised and undergoing self-quarantine) who have COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath to check their blood oxygen level.  But for people who are young and healthy with no COVID-19 symptoms, owning one Pulse Oximeter at home may not be necessary. 

COVID-19 patients are encouraged to regularly check their oxygen levels using an oximeter. If it drops below 95%, immediate medical oxygen is required as oxygen starvation can impact vital organs severely.

To know more about pulse oximetry, check out our previous articles:
1. What is Pulse Oximetry
2. Should I Get a Pulse Oximeter? A Pharmacist Guide