(Dr. Amitabh M. Jerath)
The fact is that Novel Corona virus is a new addition to the already present several other flu causing viruses which we encounter year after year. Since this is new to human body, the body has very little defence mechanism to fight this totally new enemy. One difference as compared to common flu is that it has a bigger infective potential or in other words it spreads from person to person easily and quickly. Another issue is that around 15 percent of the affected individuals can get severe symptoms and breathing issues due to chest involvement and may need advanced medical support. It can be more serious and life threatening in some cases especially elderly individuals or those who already have some disease which can compromise the immune status. Average recovery time varies but milder cases or asymptomatic cases can recover in one to two weeks. In a small percentage of severe disease it can lead to prolonged hospitalization and death.
(Dr. Jagtesh Singh Sidhu)
- Only way to fight covid 19 is prevention
- Social distancing is the key
- Avoid busy places.
- Repeated proper hand wash.
- Atleast 6 feet distance from fellow beings.
- Staying home is most important as per guidelines from the administration.
- Wear a mask when out of home (if going out is unavoidable).
Symptoms of covid 19:
- Many people carrying covid can be asymptomatic themselves but are carriers who can infect others. Hence, prevention is the key.
- Symptomatic patients may have high fever, cough, bodyaches,
- Few may have running nose
- Please remember that patient can have symptoms similar tcommon flu along with certain symptoms which can be alarming (eg. high temperatures and shortness of breath).
(Dr. Vikas Gupta)
OPD’s are running at regular times but we are avoiding crowding of the patients so that the distance between waiting patients is maintained as per guidelines. We already have an appointment system which has been augmented by creating a helpline to make it easier for the patients to understand who really needs to come to see a doctor. The patients who need to visit us are first seen by the medical officer to be screened in a relatively open area and subsequently seen by the relevant consultant. The accompanying attendants have been strictly limited to a single person. Once seen and prescription is provided, a system is in place to provide them medication from the internal pharmacy where we take all precautions necessary. in case they require admission, they are consented for the same.
(Dr. Ravinder Singh Malhotra)
As we all know that the threat looming on our heads is real and deadly (coronavirus). In this situation, world over, all the elective surgeries have been postponed because of the risk to patients and the surgical team getting infected. In India we are also following the same protocols. In order to prevent our patients from this deadly disease we advise them to stay at home and avoid unnecessary hospital visits. We are there to help if there is an urgent need but in case of emergency one needs to come to the hospital for assessment and possible treatment as necessary. By emergency we mean conditions that can be life-threatening like blood with vomiting or bleeding from backpassage or black stools, severe pain in tummy associated with vomiting and not relieved by conventional treatments, inability to pass motion or flatus with distension of tummy and high grade fever with accompanying worrying signs (low blood pressure, high pulse rate etc.)
What is the role of Hydroxychloroquine in prophylaxis for this infection?
(Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sodhi)
Unfortunately there is no specific treatment or vaccination for Covid 19 available currently. Some trials are already in the pipeline to develop a vaccine. However, going by the clinical trial protocols it would definitely take some time which is basically to carefully check for all adverse events to avoid them in the population. Even if we try to implement the expedited clinical trial protocols it may still take six months to a year in order to see some substantial results.
Some antibiotics like chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine and Azithromicin as well as some anti-viral drugs are being tried in order to treat COVID-19 but we do not have substantial data to support any claims so far. Chloroquine and it’s less toxic derivative hydroxychloroquine are for well known for their immuno modulating effects in rheumatology for decades now. The justification for their use in Covid 19 is largely based on the knowledge of their action within a human cell which can disrupt the viral multiplication and subsequent chain of events in severe Covid 19 infections.
Hence going by the current information, we are left with primarily preventive measures. All the countries around the world are implementing social distancing by force full lock down and also creating public awareness about personal hygiene. Other measures have been suggested above by my colleagues in this forum.
(Initiative by Mr. Deepak Sharma, Event and Awareness Advisor, GI Rendezvous)
Certain steps while living in group housing
# Resident should self quarantine if he/she has history of traveling interstate or inter district or where there is use of public transportation.
# Caretaker should refrain from taking their pet outside the society because recently it has been shown that this virus can be transmitted to animals as well. Caretaker might be aware and cover his/her face with mask but not their pets’ and apart from this even their paws can be a source of infection.
# Residents should strictly avoid having visitors.
# Society resident Cars with special curfew pass may only be allowed to go outside.
# vegetables/fruit/milk vendors can come at the gate of the society and guards should be trained to help maintain a proper distance.
# Newspaper Vendor /car washer /maids/ washermen should not be allowed in the society.
# Cleaning staff will pick up the Garbage from the door, and this should be placed beforehand to avoid interaction.
# Pump staff, Gardners , security staff other society staff shall always wear mask and gloves.
# Thermometer and hand sanitizer at gates.
# Regular cleaning of stairs railing and lifts
# Only gas cylinder vehicles to be allowed inside the society for delivery.
# Online grocery shopping delivery boys not to be allowed inside the society and residents are requested to pickup their packages from the gate.