The AIIMS chief on Monday warned in opposition to dashing for CT scan in instances of gentle Covid-19, saying it has unwanted effects and may find yourself doing extra hurt than good.
Amid a staggering surge in Covid-19 instances within the nation, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria at a press convention mentioned that CT scans and biomarkers are being misused and they are often dangerous as properly.
Stressing that there is no such thing as a want for doing CT scans in gentle Covid-19 instances, he mentioned that many individuals are choosing the check the second they discover out they’re optimistic for Covid-19 and added that misuse of CT scans and biomarkers might trigger injury.
“One CT scan is equivalent to 300 to 400 chest x-rays. According to data, repeated CT scans in younger age groups increase the risk of cancer in later life. Exposing yourself to radiation again and again may cause damage. So, there is no point in doing CT scan in mild Covid-19 if the oxygen saturation is normal,” Guleria mentioned.
Even in gentle sickness and in accordance with a examine, even in asymptomatic instances, a CT scan might present patches which go away on their very own with out therapy, he mentioned.
He suggested that CT scans must be accomplished in instances of average illness, when hospitalised. “And if there is a doubt, one should opt for a chest x-ray,” he mentioned.
Guleria additional mentioned that a number of blood assessments for biomarkers are additionally not wanted in gentle sickness or in house isolation if the oxygen saturation is okay, fever just isn’t excessive and there aren’t any different signs.
“As this will cause panic. These biomarkers are acute phase reactants and they increase even when there is some normal injury and toothache, it does not show that the Covid-19 disease has become severe. This causes more damage. Reliance on these tests can lead to over-treatment,” he mentioned.
He mentioned that scientific administration tips are clear that folks with gentle sickness want no medication. Based on restricted knowledge, one can take ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine however there is no such thing as a must take too many medicines, he suggested.
“Some patients take steroids in an early stage of the disease which can further replicate the virus. Taking high dose steroids in mild cases may lead to severe viral pneumonia. Steroids should be taken in moderate stage and as advised by doctors,” he mentioned.
Steroids are for average sickness solely and sufferers who’re below house isolation resulting from gentle sickness don’t require them, Guleria mentioned.
Falling oxygen saturation (under 93), extreme fatigue or chest ache are warning indicators indicating {that a} affected person in house isolation may have hospitalisation. Thus, such sufferers ought to keep in contact with a health care provider and high-risk group folks having comorbidities additionally must take particular care, he mentioned.
Guleria additional mentioned that in average diseases three kinds of therapy — oxygen remedy, steroids and anticoagulants — are efficient and are the primary therapy technique.
