Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) and Health Management Tips During Flu Season
Hong Kong is currently experiencing peak flu season, and viral respiratory infections may pose a risk of silent hypoxia. This article, from a clinical medicine perspective, analyzes the necessity of regularly monitoring SpO₂ in flu recovery management and provides solutions for using smart monitoring devices.
Definition of SpO₂
Peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO₂) reflects the proportion of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood and is a key indicator for non-invasive monitoring of blood oxygen levels. Its calculation formula is:
Oxygenated hemoglobin ÷ Total hemoglobin × 100%
Core Components of SpO₂:
- Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen, giving blood its red color.
- Oxygen-carrying capacity: Under normal physiological conditions, each gram of hemoglobin can carry approximately 1.34 milliliters of oxygen.
Reminder from the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection:
Healthy individuals typically recover from seasonal flu within a few days to two weeks. Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and headache; some may also experience vomiting and diarrhea.
However, high-risk groups, such as the elderly, children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions, may develop severe complications from seasonal flu.
Flu-related complications include:
- ▶ Pneumonia
- ▶ Sepsis
- ▶ Encephalitis
- ▶ Myocarditis
Clinical Significance of SpO₂ Levels:
SpO₂ values reflect blood oxygen levels and are closely related to clinical conditions. The following outlines value ranges and recommendations:
| SpO₂ Range | Clinical Interpretation | Recommendations for Flu Patients |
|---|---|---|
| 95%–100% | Normal physiological range | Maintain current lifestyle |
| 90%–94% | Mild oxygen reduction | Monitor environmental factors (e.g., altitude, temperature, exercise intensity) |
| ＜90% | Risk of hypoxemia | Seek immediate medical attention and use further oxygen monitoring devices |
Smart Monitoring Devices
ScanWatch 2 Smartwatch
- Provides active SpO₂ monitoring
- Measures blood oxygen levels during sleep
- Tracks daily body temperature fluctuations to help users identify potential illnesses early
BeamO 4-in-1 Health Monitor
- Provides active SpO₂ monitoring
- Offers body temperature detection to help identify fever symptoms quickly
- Includes ECG functionality
- Features a stethoscope to record heart and lung sounds in real-time, shareable with healthcare providers for assessment
Results from these devices should be interpreted alongside clinical symptoms and are not intended as standalone diagnostic tools
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