Tuberculosis(TB) Test Required if Cough Persist in Covid Patients; Revised Clinical Guidelines
The government has issued revised clinical guidelines for coronavirus treatment, advising doctors to avoid giving steroids to COVID-19 patients and to recommend tuberculosis tests if their cough persists, just days after its task force chief expressed regret for the overuse of the drug during the second wave.
When administered too early, at a larger dose, or for longer than necessary, medications like steroids can increase the risk of a secondary infection like invasive mucormycosis or 'black fungus,' according to the new guidelines.
The guidelines stated that if cough persists for more than two-three weeks, patients should be tested for tuberculosis and other illnesses. They also specified the doses for the drugs if necessary for three types of infections - "mild, moderate, and severe."
Dr V K Paul, NITI Aayog Member (Health) and leader of the Covid Task Force, spoke out against the "overuse and misuse" of medications like steroids at a press conference.
Upper respiratory symptoms without shortness of breath or hypoxia have been classified as a moderate disease, and home isolation and treatment have been recommended, according to the new guidance.
Patients with a respiratory rate of more than 30 per minute, dyspnea, or oxygen saturation of less than 90% on room air should be admitted to an ICU because they will require respiratory support, according to the report.
Respiratory support should be given to such patients. If work of breathing is modest, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) - helmet or face mask interface depending on availability - may be explored in people with growing oxygen demand.
The guidelines state that those over 60 years old, as well as those with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and other immunocompromised states such as HIV, active tuberculosis, chronic lung, kidney, or liver disease, cerebrovascular disease, or obesity, are at a high risk of severe disease and mortality.
What's Your Reaction?