Covid symptoms but –ve RT-PCR report: virus in lungs to blame

LUCKNOW : People suffering from fever and displaying Coronavirus symptoms have received a Covid-negative report. While undergoing treatment for common fever, some of these patients have suffered a fall in oxygen level resulting in death.

SP Singh (60) a resident of Triveni Nagar was suffering from fever but tested negative for Covid-19. He died at a city hospital after his oxygen level fell. Similarly, 40-year-old Sanjit, a resident of Gosainganj, lost his life due to a fall in oxygen level.

In both cases the patient was being treated for common fever but he died due to a fall in oxygen level.

Keeping in mind such cases, the state government has decided that people who test negative for Covid-19 through the RT-PCR method, but have lung infection, suggesting a Covid-19 infection, should be treated at Covid-19 facilities but in a separate ward. In an order issued on Saturday, Amit Mohan Prasad, additional chief secretary, medical and health, said, “People, even if they test negative but on the basis of CT scan, X-ray and blood tests, doctors treating them are convinced that they are Covid positive, then they are supposed to be ‘presumptive Covid-19 patients’ and are to be treated just like Covid-19 patients.”

“Despite showing symptoms of Coronavirus, some patients’ report could be negative among those patients who are suffering from ‘Post Covid Syndrome’,” said OP Sanjeev, Rajdhani Covid Hospital in-charge, SGPGIMS.

“There have been reports about some virus variants not getting detected in RT-PCR tests too. There have been such cases reported in Delhi too. But sometimes, samples are also not taken correctly.

“In Post Covid Syndrome, the virus is not active that’s why RT-PCR report comes negative but due to lung pathology (loss of lung cells) the patient develops pulmonary fibrosis resulting in lowering of oxygen level and causing deaths in some patients, if not treated well.

Post Covid Syndrome existed before also but is now being reported more and more as cases increase.

That is why we have requested hospitals to treat any pulmonary patient with utmost care. Any patient coming with a complaint of fever must also be tested for pneumonia and extent of lung damage must be checked through CT Scan or Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (also known as bronchoalveolar washing),” he said.

Narayan Prasad, head of department nephrology, SGPGIMS, said, “Anyone suffering from fever must remain alert even if his/her report is negative. If they have any difficulty in breathing, they must talk to an expert and get admitted to a hospital.”

Despite showing Covid symptoms, some patients’ report could be negative among those patients who are suffering from ‘Post Covid Syndrome’ OP SANJEEV, Rajdhani Covid Hospital in-charge, SGPGIMS