Covid rampage: Management guidelines for self-help!
The onslaught of infection in recent days has been such that Covid has quickly moved three steps: from a number on TV screens, to hearing of someone who got it, and now to someone at your own home who is down with the symptoms!
And if you are feeling helpless with no response to requests for home tests, access to clinics, getting advice from doctors, or finding a bed in a hospital, here are few steps that could help.
Any person with recent symptoms of fever, sore throat or cough in these times should be considered to have Covid. Isolate him/her to prevent spreading to others.
Try to get a Covid test done (preferably RT-PCR). Remember that the test reports are taking long these days.
Get a thermometer (s) and oximeter, and monitor temperature and oxygen levels twice daily. If a clinic is difficult to visit, go for on-line consultation. There are several ones on the website. Remember that doing on-line consults may save you time as well as prevent spreading to others.
Most doctors will assess the following points: a. Is the infection mild/moderate or severe? b. Is the person at special risk? Age, Diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease? c. How many days into the symptoms?
If the assessment suggests mild infection in the early phase, prescriptions, based on government guidelines will usually include: a.Vitamins and immune boosters such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc.
b.An antibiotic: some prefer Doxycycline, while others prefer Azithromycin
c.Ivermectin, a de-worming agent, and is usually advised to be taken twice daily for 3-5 days.
d.Anti-viral medicine is preferred by some. The oral version for mild disease is Favipiravir, and can be taken for 5 days to get a quick resolution.
e.Paracetamol is the usual drug prescribed for bringing down the temperature, and for body aches.
If the disease appears to be getting severe by high temperature persisting for more than 7 days or a dip in oxygen levels, or abnormalities in heart rate, respiration or BP, or breathlessness, then additional therapies may be required such as: a.Oxygen inhalation (high flow) b.Remdesivir: an anti-viral, but needs to be given by injections
c.Steroids (Dexamethasone), a steroid, usually a short course, to reduce inflammation in the body. d.Blood thinners (Aspirin, Clexane or others) for those at high risk or whose D Dimer tests in the blood are high.
In severe to critical disease, one may require to be put on a ventilator.
Let us face the harsh reality: if you get Covid it is well possible that you may not be able to get the kind of access to doctors, laboratory or hospital the way you were used to. Evolving your own self-aid strategy may help tackle a crisis at home, especially for the early and mild cases, while you wait for specialized help.