Aditi tandon
Tribune news service
New Delhi, September 13
In light of mounting evidence of post-COVID recovery complications, the Health Ministry on Sunday issued protocols requiring follow-up of patients discharged from health centers within a week.
The Post-COVID Management Protocol for the holistic follow-up care and well-being of all recovering post-COVID patients also places great importance on AYUSH therapies that ask people to drink warm water and saline gargles and steam inhalation. with herbs AYUSH in case of cough.
At the hospital level, the protocol says that a recovered patient’s first follow-up visit (physical / telephone) should be within a week after discharge, preferably at the hospital where he underwent treatment.
“Subsequent treatment / follow-up visits can be with the nearest qualified physician / allopathic medical center / AYUSH from other systems of medicine. Combination therapy should be avoided due to the possibility of unknown drug interactions, which can cause serious adverse events or adverse effects, ”says the protocol.
Patients who underwent home isolation, if they complain of persistent symptoms, have been told to visit the nearest health center.
Severe cases that require critical care support will need closer monitoring, the protocol says.
The ministry acknowledged that it has been observed that after acute COVID-19 illness, recovered patients may continue to report a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including fatigue, body aches, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath, and he said the payback period is likely to be shortened. be longer for patients who suffered a more severe form of the disease and those with pre-existing conditions.
A holistic approach is required to follow-up care, the protocol says, which should not be used as preventive or curative therapy.
At the individual level, the protocol asks people to continue with the appropriate COVID behavior (use of a mask, hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing); drink an adequate amount of warm water (if not contraindicated); taking AYUSH medicine that promotes immunity with the prescription of a qualified AYUSH physician; health permitting, you should do regular housework and light to moderate exercise, including a comfortable walk.
Daily practice of yogasana, pranayama; Balanced nutritious diet, preferably easy to digest Freshly cooked soft diet; adequate sleep and rest; It has also been recommended to avoid smoking and alcohol.
Additionally, the protocol asks recovered patients to take medications regularly and advises monitoring personal health at home, including temperature, blood sugar, and oxygen levels. Ask patients to look for early warning signs such as high fever, shortness of breath, and oxygen saturation below 95 pc, unexplained chest pain, new onset of confusion, focal weakness.
