The rise in Covid-19 across the country has not only sparked a battle for hospital beds, but has also led people to opt for self-prescribed treatment models that can be dangerous.
The liver, one of the most vital organs in the human body, can be affected by self-administration of drugs, doctors warned on the eve of World Delivery Day on April 19.
“Using self-prescribed antibiotics is a common practice by many people, especially in India, to treat conditions such as fever, cough and cold, which are also considered common symptoms of Covid-19. However, it is important to note that antibiotics They don’t work against viruses, and they only work against bacterial infections, ”said Dr. NY Prashanth Chandra, consultant internal medicine, Gleneagles Global Hospitals.
Covid-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics don’t work, and antibiotics should not be used as a means of preventing or treating Covid-19. It is important for people to understand this fundamental difference before opting for self-prescribed treatment protocols, ”he said.
According to Dr. Anusha Karra, Internal Medicine, Western Plains Hospital, Dodge City, USA, doctors in hospitals sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections that can be a complication of Covid-19, including in the severely ill . patients. “This drug should only be used under the supervision of a physician to treat a bacterial infection. Instead, the use of antibiotics as immunity boosters can lead to arrhythmias and complicate health conditions,” he added.
Dr. Anitha Reddy, a gastroenterologist at SLG Hospitals, says that even consuming good food in excessive amounts is bad and can lead to health complications at the most critical times. “Excessive and unregulated consumption of immunity-enhancing foods, such as concoctions made from turmeric or methi, or foods that provide vitamin D and zinc, can be a bad idea. have an adverse effect. effect on liver function. People should exercise caution before taking a self-prescribed route to boosting immunity or treating common conditions, as such an unregulated approach can prove costly. “
Dr. Sukesh Kumar, Chief of Medical Services, Aware Gleneagles Global Hospitals, advised people to contact a healthcare provider or the available Covid-19 hotline for instructions on symptoms and to find out when and where to get a test, to stay at home for 14 days away from others and check health. “In case of shortness of breath or chest pain, seek medical attention from the appropriate health care facility. If local guidelines recommend visiting a medical center for testing, assessment, isolation, wear a medical mask when traveling to and from the institution and during medical care., ”he said.
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