Prof. Kostov: The state must introduce strict measures, not sacrifice its doctors – Diseases

The state must impose strict measures, not sacrifice doctors. This was commented to the Bulgarian National Radio by the pulmonologist Prof. Dr. Kosta Kostov, President of the Council of Experts to Combat Covid-19.

“The PCR test is only useful, it only helps, it helps the doctor in the diagnosis. Not all patients with a positive PCR test can be stigmatized as seriously ill. The diagnosis is a combination of symptoms, images, laboratory, pathogenesis.” , He said.

“I would define the direction as the right one. Things in Bulgaria are not quiet at all, cases are growing dramatically. The versions that patients who are not seriously ill are admitted to hospitals are unsustainable. Stronger measures are needed. There is a division in society. skeptics and those who interpret the data of what is happening quite reasonably, and politicians also play an important role in this: 7-8 months after the start of the pandemic, we are arguing about elementary things and we are far from science, let’s give in to scientific facts If the government runs parallel to scientific facts – I am “in favor”, if the government goes against scientific facts – I am “against”, Professor Kostov is categorical .

“We must not compromise. We cannot pay tribute to the fans, to football, which died long ago, to pubs and discos, and at the same time, unload this heavy burden on the backs of doctors! The politicians had to be more radical. “I am not in favor of the total closure of the state and the complete exclusion of people from social life, but let’s be reasonable, let’s be proportionate,” appealed Professor Kostov.

“Of course, outdoor masks were an absolutely stupid decision. There must be a balanced rigor to involve society in the measures. There are strict rules enshrined in all international recommendations:” Masks are only used where it is impossible to maintain In other words, in transport (on the train, on the flight), in the queue … where more people gather. But walking down the street and wearing a mask, that was stupid, ”explained the pulmonologist.

According to Dr. Kostov, the 10-day quarantine is suitable for asymptomatic patients and, regarding telephone medicine, he did not want to blame his colleagues in general practice, because they also face a number of problems.

“It must be said once and for all that this is a disease that cannot be diagnosed with a PCR test. It is only useful, it only helps, it helps the doctor in the diagnosis. Not all patients with a PCR test can be stigmatized as seriously ill. The diagnosis is a combination of symptoms, imaging, laboratory, pathogenesis, these are fundamental things for medicine. A PCR test cannot be an indication for the diagnosis, in addition, there are already established laboratory methods that can differentiate a dangerous patient. for others, say whether a patient emits an infectious dose or not, “said the doctor.

Again a record: 1,472 people infected with COVID-19

“To translate it understandably, prolonged Covid is a complex of symptoms and complaints that continues after the disease. It is divided into two periods: symptoms and complaints after 3 weeks (post-acute Covid) and after 12 weeks (chronic Covid) Both are called prolonged Covid There are 4 groups of symptoms: Lung changes (most commonly affected organs): there is a feeling of shortness of breath, shortness of breath, Neurological symptoms: residual headache, dizziness, hangover, loss of smell. ; Cognitive symptoms – memory disorders, insecurity, hopelessness, experience of fear; Cardiac pathological changes – myocardial inflammation … sometimes asymptomatic. Most of the time there is a feeling of weakness – the so-called “chronic weakness syndrome” . In the third or fourth month, 30-40% present various symptoms in various organ systems in the third month. Equipment is required that is not available everywhere, “explained the pulmonologist.

“The precise equipment is not available in outpatient practice. It is available only in two hospitals in Bulgaria. And here again we trust politicians who have cut medical care, cut specialties, without understanding the need for them. And now they are in this quagmire … “Our medical care must be revived very seriously” – Dr. Kosta Kostov is categorical.