Govt issues new guidelines for Covid-19 treatment. Here's all you need to know

COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines: The Centre on Monday issued renewed guidelines for effective treatment of Covid-19. 

The new guidelines issued by All India Institute Of Medical Science(AIIMS) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stated that anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy like steroids carries the risk of secondary infection like invasive mucormycosis when used too early, at higher dose, or for longer than required.

The revised guidelines continue to recommend emergency use authorization (EUA) or off-label use of remdesivir in patients with “moderate to severe” disease and those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of the onset of any symptom.

It warned against use of the drug for patients who are not on oxygen support or in home settings.

According to the guidelines, emergency use or off-label use of the tocilizumab drug may be considered in the presence of severe disease, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of onset of severe disease or intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

According to the guidance note, upper respiratory tract symptoms without shortness of breath or hypoxia has been categorised as mild disease and such patients have been advised home isolation and care.

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Those suffering from mild Covid should seek medical attention if they have difficulty in breathing, high grade fever, or severe cough lasting for more than five days.

Those having breathlessness with SpO2 fluctuating between 90-93 per cent, can get admitted to a ward, and they will be considered moderate cases.

Such patients should be given oxygen support and awake proning should be encouraged in all patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy.

Respiratory rate over 30 per minute, breathlessness or SpO2 lower than 90 per cent on room air should be considered as severe disease and such patients have to be admitted to an ICU as they will need respiratory support.

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