No one should die in Covid-19 (SARS- COV-2) infection
No one should die in
Covid-19 (SARS- COV-2) infection
All over the world there are a number of people who have
lost their lives to Covid-19 infection. I have personally gone through the
Covid hole, stayed there for 15 days and come out of it alive and strong. Here
is a short summary of the way how we can avoid a death in this covid hole. Let
me begin by saying covid is not a simple flu. It affects every system of our
body. It needs proper treatment. If we manage this disease well nobody should
die.
1.
A correct
awareness about this disease is important. This disease can be and should be
avoided in first stage. When you get infected, by about 10 days, the virus dies
and then depending upon viral load and your immune status, you land up into a
stage called cytokine storm. This storm is an erratic hyper immune response of
your body to the virus attack. By 10th day there is no live virus in
your body. Though you may be positive with todays test, there is no live virus
. You do not need costly antivirals at this stage or even convalescent plasma.
2.
What you need is
the proper advice on prevention and how to take care of this when you get an
infection. This is vital, because, then being aware, you can take care of
yourself well. Be in touch with your medical team right on day one of sickness.
They will definitely guide you well till you recover.
3.
The hospital
when it decides that the patient needs admission should take care to see that
during transit time, patient is not left without oxygen.
4.
The main
treatment in the hospital should begin with
i.
Vit- C in high
dose therapy – There are protocols to follow. This lately has shown a great
promise in saving these patients as well as reducing their hospital stay and
convalescent period.
ii.
Steroids in as
low dose as required
iii.
Antivirals like
Remdesivir, lopinavir, favipiravir, ivermectin, Hydroxychloquin etc, if lees
than 10 days of sickness
iv.
Convalescent
plasma if less than 10 days of sickness
v.
Other support
measures as required E.g.
A. Glutathione, statins, colchicine, vit D, Vit A, Vit
B complex, Vit E, Melatonin,
B.
Anti fungals.
vi.
Managing other
associate conditions well like diabetes, Hypertension, kidney problem, liver
disease etc
vii.
Anticoagulants
and Antiplatelet for prevention of clot
viii.
Antibiotic if
required
ix.
Proper nutrition
x.
All other
supportive measures as required
xi.
Good nursing
care.
5.
Good monitoring
and supervision of all associate conditions is very essential. The patient in
covid hole must have an attendant. The hospital should decide on how this can
be made feasible. At present everybody is kept away from the covid word/ ICU.
If dead the patient is taken to the mortuary straight by the hospital staff.
This is a bad practice both for the patient, for the relatives as well as for
the society. By creating a change here, I am sure a lot of goodness will happen
to all three stakeholders. I know the lawmakes have to work here.
6.
Have a good
watch on the patient and keep his SPO2 levels above 90% all the time. If this
happens his other organs will have no damage and his associated conditions will
not worsen. Keep O2 to normal level till cytokine storm settles. This should be
strictly adhered to especially when the patient is moving to the washroom and
for other investigations.
7.
Psychological
boost is the basic necessity of this patient in covid ward. We know that
anxiety and fear increases inflammation. We must do all that is feasible to convince
the patient that he will easily come out of this as a safe and strong human
being.
8.
Nutritionally
the person goes in a negative balance. The medical team has to play a good role
here. Patient loses his weight, muscle mass, hair, subcutaneous fat, taste,
smell etc. His endocrine system is definitely is not healthy
9.
A proper balance
of calories, vitamins, all the necessary minerals, phytochemicals in food has
to be watched and supplemented. I would recommend the necessary calories along
with at least three type of vegetables, 3 types of grains, 3 types of legumes and
dals and 3 different coloured fruits in his daily diet. A good nutritionist
will cut his post covid convalescence very short.
10.
We do not have
to get scared of this disease. Just these few
measures followed properly will send all your covid patients home safely.
11.
Post covid I
have seen the patient has a large number of complaints which are following
overall weak systems. I have seen these patients taking months to recover, get
admitted to the hospital repeatedly. They have no serious problems. It is this
extreme fear and anxiety the family and the patients carry. The common complaints
are giddiness, weakness, imbalance, change in memory, speech and hearing, chest
pain, cough, breathlessness, palpitations, hyperventilation, electrolyte
imbalance
12.
All these
eventually will settle down as the patient improves. He and his family needs
proper counselling and assurance to go through during this post covid convalescence
13.
With just these
few rational measures every patient of covid should be able to overcome this
difficult time
Post COVID stroke and
heart attack can be prevented with statin, Aspirin, Dypiridamole, anticoagulant
like rivoroxaban and many such drugs.
I would reiterate that
having taken a good care of ourselves in preventing and in early treatment if
required, we do not have to be scared of covid.
Dr.Digambar Naik
Cont:- 8605657755
Dempo Healthcare, La
Campala Colony,Miramar Panjim Goa 403001
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