Pulse oximeters for COVID-19: Know the oxygen saturation levels can tell you about SARS-CoV-2 infection
Oxygen saturation (also called SpO2) is a fraction of the oxygen-saturated haemoglobin, compared to the total haemoglobin in the blood. T...
Oxygen saturation (also called SpO2) is a fraction of the oxygen-saturated haemoglobin, compared to the total haemoglobin in the blood. The normal values of SpO2 range from 92 to 100 percent. For a healthy person, SpO2 values usually fall between 94-96 percent. However, a value below 90 percent during a COVID-19 outbreak could indicate low oxygen level, a condition known as hypoxemia.
Hypoxemia is a symptom that, irrespective of the cause, can lead to multiple issues like organ failure and cardiac arrest if not treated early.
What is a pulse oximeter?
A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures oxygen levels in the blood. It works by using infrared rays to measure the amount of oxygen (blood gas) present in the capillaries, most commonly in the fingertips.
