Dipak Kumar Singh tells you what can be done if your RT-PCR Test throws up a false negative report
The second wave of COVID-19 has affected almost everybody. People are in panic mode and don’t know what to do and where to go. With no beds in the hospitals for severe patients, let alone the mild cases, here are a few things that one can do.
Don’t ignore any symptom, specially fever and/or sore throat. Mass awareness is essential at this point. Most of the cases turn critical only because of ignoring of early warning signs and delay in start of treatment.
Don’t wait for RT-PCR report to start treatment if above symptoms are there.
Start the treatment even if you have been tested RT-PCR negative, but you have above symptoms. Those having other symptoms like loss of smell/taste should also start medication.
Completely avoid raw, sour and cold food. Eat only home cooked hot fresh food. A to Z tablet is sufficient to meet your Vitamin C needs. There is no need to rush for lemon/orange for Vitamin C.
As soon as above symptoms arise, or when asymptomatic patients test positive and unless you have some special medical condition, start the following medication immediately:
- Azithral 500mg once daily×5 days
- Doxy 100mg bd × 5 days
- Ivermectin 12mg once daily for 3 days ( if weight more than 50 kg. If weight is less than 50 kg then take Ivermectin 6 mg once daily for 3 days)
- Zincovit (not be taken in the night)
- Zincovit and A to Z once daily for 30 days
- Dolopar 650 mg SoS if fever more than 100°
- D3 60K once in a week empty stomach for eight weeks
- Pantocid 40 once daily empty stomach
- Drink four-five litres of water daily spreading over whole day. Don’t take more than one- two glass at a time. The kidney patient should regulate water intake as per doctor’s advice. The intake of water helps not only in managing body temperature but also in preventing blood thickening.
- Gargle at least twice with hot water, salt preferably and a pinch of turmeric.
- Steam inhalation at least twice with hot water and put sendha salt in it.
- Do breathing exercises which increases lungs capacity and helps to maintain oxygen level. Do these exercises:
Sit straight and inhale/exhale slowly but deeply, inhaling in 5 seconds and exhaling in 5 seconds).
Anulom/vilom at least 25 times.
Lie on your stomach, keep right hand under right chest, left hand under left chest, keep elbows stretched, chin on the bed and take deep breath. Do it as many times as possible.
Take any vessel with narrow mouth, half fill it, take a straw, one end in your mouth and one end in the water and blow hard with full breath so that bubbles are created.
If fever continues for five days or more or if CRP / ESR value is high, then not later than 6th day get HRCT (THORAX)/ digital x -ray/ x-ray ( depending on the facility available) done, because the likelihood is that your lungs has been effected.
Most important don’t panic. COVID-19 can be managed with home isolation or at a normal COVID facility, without necessarily having ICU/ventilator facility.
The writer is Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bihar
(Disclaimer: The writer is not a certified doctor. This is for reference purpose only. If you have any special medical condition, consult your physician)
