# Likelihood of survival in ICU on ventilator with confrmed positive COVID-19 test? need answer fast **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 27, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443 "2020-03-27T18:55:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/21 "2020-03-27T21:48:38Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > It would be a hail mary pass, based on the beliefs in a different hail mary pass, but you might send her doctors this: > > [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22214533&postcount=28](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22214533&postcount=28) Thanks. She’s at one of the top hospitals in the country - I am confident that they are doing everything that is reasonable to do. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/22 "2020-03-27T21:56:46Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > It would be a hail mary pass, based on the beliefs in a different hail mary pass, but you might send her doctors this: > > [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22214533&postcount=28](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22214533&postcount=28) Gilead was so swamped with compassionate use requests that they are unable to provide it anymore outside of clinical trials. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/23 "2020-03-27T21:58:22Z")
> [@Shmendrik](#): > > Gilead was so swamped with compassionate use requests that they are unable to provide it anymore outside of clinical trials. I know. Ergo. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/24 "2020-03-27T22:05:37Z")
I’m sorry for this situation you’re enduring, **Eva**. I hope somehow your stepmom and dad pull through this thing. You’re currently living the exact future I dread within the next 2 weeks. My early 70s stepmom had to endure a necessary surgery just over a week ago which required a bunch of medical visits since the beginning of the month. She brought my late 80s father with her to all of them. Though they’ve taken precautions, they were somewhat slow to accept the full magnitude of the crisis. I completely empathize with the feelings of helplessness you’re enduring. Again, I sincerely wish you and your family members all the best. I hope the support of the group here is of some comfort. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/25 "2020-03-27T23:07:10Z")
Yikes! Sending best wishes to you and yours. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/26 "2020-03-28T21:40:13Z")
Update: Dad says the ICU is calling him twice a day with updates, and that this morning they turned down the pressure on the respirator a bit, which apparently means that her breathing is a bit better? Guarded optimism over here, given the number of accounts I have read of people who felt a little bit better and then crashed hard shortly thereafter. On the bright side (?), I discovered that the couple of masks we had in the basement from a fiberglass window insulation project are N95s. Makes me feel a little bit better about any necessary errands my asthmatic self may need to run. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/27 "2020-03-28T21:52:52Z")
Good luck, sending good thoughts and hope. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/28 "2020-03-28T22:08:10Z")
There has been some evidence that some infected people lose their sense of taste and smell. One woman said putting cinnamon in her mouth tasted like nothing. Your dad could do some kind of similar test a couple of times a day to see if he notices any changes. He could also start tracking his temperature to see if he notices any increase. Temps will typically be different at different times of the day, so don’t be surprised if morning and night temps are different. He should assume all surfaces are infected and sanitize whatever he may want to touch. He should wash his hands often and not touch his face even in the house. Is there a guest room or other unused part of the house he could move into? That would help avoid contact with any residual virus in the main part of the house. Do video chats so you both get some face-to-face time and don’t feel so alone. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/29 "2020-03-29T01:16:20Z")
I wish you and your father well and hope that he recovers. Your question is hard to answer since it depends on many things. I don’t know the answer. But there is an article in the Manchester Guardian today suggesting the ICU survival rate for ventilated Covid-19 patients is around 50%. If they are turning down the settings and his blood work is improving, this is all to the good. Best luck. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/30 "2020-03-29T01:55:40Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I wish you and your father well and hope that he recovers. Your question is hard to answer since it depends on many things. I don’t know the answer. But there is an article in the Manchester Guardian today suggesting the ICU survival rate for ventilated Covid-19 patients is around 50%. > > If they are turning down the settings and his blood work is improving, this is all to the good. Best luck. Dad is fine (so far anyway); it’s stepmom in the ICU. I am also worried about Dad because of his age and asthma and known exposure. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/31 "2020-03-29T02:04:14Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > There has been some evidence that some infected people lose their sense of taste and smell. [Another possible symptom is red eyes](https://www.newsweek.com/red-eyes-coronavirus-1494244). ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/32 "2020-03-29T02:25:55Z")
Apologies, read the OP yesterday and probably should have reread it before answering. It is touch and go, but she has a decent chance. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/33 "2020-03-29T02:28:15Z")
Here is the link. > **[Coronavirus: new figures on intensive care deaths revealed](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/28/coronavirus-intensive-care-uk-patients-50-per-cent-survival-rate)** > > Findings of new report raise concerns about how effective new facilities will be ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/34 "2020-03-29T06:41:32Z")
Best wishes. Stay safe. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/35 "2020-03-29T22:05:14Z")
Best wishes and good luck. In case dad starts running our of clothes and doesn’t want to risk the basement laundry, there’s the grape-stomper’s laundry. Step into shower fully clothed (after removing leather, electronics, etc). Start water. Work up a good shampoo-head of lather. Stop water. Undress, getting everything sudsy, and puddled on shower floor. Stomp on clothes like crushing grapes. Sing. Restart water VERY hot but avoid burns - maybe stand back and poke soggy, sudsy clothes with broomstick. Rinse clothes in warm water and hang to dry on shower rod. This traveler’s trick should work in many circumstances. Stay clean, stay healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/36 "2020-03-29T22:15:20Z")
Update: apparently she is improving a bit - they have dialed down the respirator a bit more and put her on a milder sedative, and she no longer has a fever. Dad is still asymptomatic. (And halfway through his quarantine period, not that he was planning to go anywhere anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/37 "2020-03-29T22:46:36Z")
Fingers crossed! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/38 "2020-03-29T22:48:35Z")
Thank you for keeping us updated, Eva. Continued positive energy for all of you. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/39 "2020-03-29T22:56:40Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > Update: apparently she is improving a bit - they have dialed down the respirator a bit more and put her on a milder sedative, and she no longer has a fever. Dad is still asymptomatic. (And halfway through his quarantine period, not that he was planning to go anywhere anyway.) Sounds good, here’s hoping. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443/40 "2020-03-30T00:06:14Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > Best wishes and good luck. > > In case dad starts running our of clothes and doesn’t want to risk the basement laundry, there’s the grape-stomper’s laundry. Step into shower fully clothed (after removing leather, electronics, etc). Start water. Work up a good shampoo-head of lather. Stop water. Undress, getting everything sudsy, and puddled on shower floor. Stomp on clothes like crushing grapes. Sing. Restart water VERY hot but avoid burns - maybe stand back and poke soggy, sudsy clothes with broomstick. Rinse clothes in warm water and hang to dry on shower rod. > > This traveler’s trick should work in many circumstances. Stay clean, stay healthy. Can’t think of a more unsafe method for an elderly person to try to wash clothes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-of-survival-in-icu-on-ventilator-with-confrmed-positive-covid-19-test-need-answer-fast/850443.md?page=3)