Prevention continues to be best cure for COVID-19, says Prof. Anjan Trikha of AIIMS

Only three therapies — oxygen, steroids and blood thinners — have proven robust and persistently constructive influence in COVID-19 therapy, says Prof. Anjan Trikha, Chairperson, Clinical Managerial Group, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Designated Covid Hospital AIIMS, Delhi. He additionally cautions in opposition to misuse of medicines, stating that abuse may cause extra issues than advantages.

Also learn: Doctors felled by the virus they battle for their sufferers

The dynamic listing of medicines and therapies for COVID-19 therapy and administration of sufferers authorised by the federal government has left most people exhausted and confused. Medicines disappear from the markets or their prices escalate as quickly as an announcement about their usefulness is made by the federal government. What then is the best course of motion really useful?

No one alive as we speak has seen a pandemic of this nature. We have had about 14-16 months of studying and analysis work that varieties the spine of all therapies and therapy modalities now being provided to the sufferers. The studying is dynamic as is the virus. Trials and altering therapy protocols are half of the scenario that we discover ourselves in as we speak. But what we all know now for sure is that oxygen (which can be a drug), steroids and blood thinners play a constructive function in treating sufferers with COVID.

Even in these (oxygen/steroids/blood thinners), what to use and when to use it play a essential half. This is significant. There are particular indications on when to use which therapies. The rampant misuse and miscalculation of time of administration of medication and therapies can be touchdown many of us on the hospital. We are seeing an increase in illnesses related to abuse of the medication. People in India are uncovered to a cocktail of medicines, therapies, residence treatments and numerous Ayurvedic and homeopathic medication that we’re compelled to take as a result of — merely put — we would like to keep alive. Abuse/misuse of these cocktails sadly might have some very undesirable outcomes.

As for medicines and even medical gear disappearing from the market…India is being punished for not having a strong management on sale of medication and medical gear. In many international locations internationally, individuals can’t even purchase antibiotics with out prescription. India has legal guidelines, however the enforcement is a matter. What can’t additionally be ignored is the truth that a strained medical infrastructure and rise in COVID numbers and deaths do put super strain on most people.

But, absolutely, we will’t blame most people for opting to do all the things they presumably can to tide over the second wave? The basic public is nervous about deaths even after two doses of vaccine.

Prevention continues to be the best cure. This is to be performed by means of vaccination and strictly following COVID-appropriate behaviour. This virus has proven that no individual from any socio-economic strata is protected. Yes, we now have sufferers within the ICU who’ve had two doses of COVID vaccine however then what most people has to realise is that these vaccines have additionally ensured that a number of who might have had very poor outcomes of COVID have proven gentle to average kind of the illness.

I might additionally enchantment to most people to not put strain in your treating medical doctors for a specific drug or remedy. Don’t go by the posts on social media on therapy protocol. Let your physician take the decision. Not everybody wants [to go to] a hospital, not everybody will find yourself within the ICU; the truth is, 80% individuals may have a gentle selection of the virus. The illness is new and self-treatment has to be averted in any respect prices.

The basic public has to perceive that the timing of giving medication is crucial in treating this virus. Like within the case of steroids….if given within the first week of the illness, they’re truly counterproductive. So, most people should go along with the medical recommendation.

There is now discuss a 3rd wave and additional mutation within the virus. Does this imply that we’ll by no means be ready to return to the pre-COVID instances?

Nobody can precisely predict the trajectory that this virus will take. The beforehand recognized illness patterns, and many others. are solely indicative of the doable highway that the virus will take. They are recognized to have spike, plateau and a dip and a spike once more. Masks and COVID-appropriate behaviour are positively right here to keep for the subsequent couple of years. Also, individuals want to know that whereas mutations in a virus are a recognized phenomenon it at all times needn’t be for the more severe.

But having stated that, we don’t need to discover ourselves in the identical state as we have been within the second wave and have to work with the federal government to be sure that if a 3rd wave comes it’s not ready to wreak havoc. Mental well being of youngsters, in the meantime, is now rising as an space of grave concern. This wants pressing consideration.