Notes: To COVID and Beyond
Special thanks to Dr Anup Aggarwal for his inputs, Dr Samriddhi for her insights and Shubham for his musical contribution. Hosted by Markets 101 - A Special Session
Discussion points
Basics of COVID: Keeping Yourself Safe
3 Things About COVID
Polypharmacy
Vaccination pe Charcha
Questions
Basics of COVID: Keeping Yourself Safe
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. 'CO' stands for corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV.'
How COVID is different from your normal flu?
Influenza viruses vrs SARS-CoV-2
Gestation period is longer
Serious illnesses
More contagious
List of Most Common Symptoms
Fever
Cough
Headaches
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Nausea
Diarrhea
Precautions
Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others
Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you. A typical 6 feet is the length of a cow. Practise physical distancing not social distancing
Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you
Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available
3 Things About COVID
WASH HANDS. AVOID CROWDED AREAS. DOUBLE MASKING
Polypharmacy
In simple terms, 'polypharmacy' refers to the use of multiple medications. A 'polypharmacy patient' then, is one who has been prescribed and is taking multiple medications for multiple conditions. More here
If you aren’t feeling well – GO VISIT A DOCTOR. The early you treat COVID, the better. However, be cognizant of what’s been prescribed to you. More isn’t always better
Why?
1. Resources are limited: When you over-consume, you not only eat into the resources available for others who might need that medicine but would invariably create long term side-effects for your body as well
3. Incentives aren’t aligned properly: A doctor in private sector often has more incentives to prescribe more as their efficacy is measured by the amount of medicines they can dole out. Below conversation between Jishnu Das on his research with a Delhi doc would throw some light on this (circa 2005)
What works then?
Inputs by Dr Anup Aggarwal (lead author of the ICMR-led trial on convalescent plasma (PLACID trial), physician at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital Healthcare Services, New Mexico, U.S.) in conversation with the Hindu
For mild symptoms, paracetamol and levocetirizine are sufficient
Plasma doesn’t work (as advised by ICMR) expect in rare cases for the 1st 3 days. Our RT-PCR tests have longer timelines – earlier usage was more eminence based then evidence based
Remdesivir doesn’t reduce mortality only the time spent in an hospital– urge to prescribe more than to prescribe rationally
Dexamethasone is as effective as Betamethasone and cheaper
Steroids (severe cases, immunosuppressant), anticoagulants (reduce blood clots) and oxygen
Vaccine Conversations
Go Vaccinate. Further details on an in-session deck, with inputs from AHRQ and AMDA. All latest updates from CDC are also hyperlinked in the slides
Questions
In session
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References
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/what-are-steroids-and-why-are-they-given-to-covid-positive-patients-7315149/
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/dexamethasone-has-life-saving-potential-for-critically-ill-covid-19-patients-who/videoshow/76521256.cms
https://blog.cureatr.com/defining-polypharmacy-and-understanding-its-risks-and-benefits
References to CDC and ICMR and hyperlinked as required in our notes and in presentations
Video played at the beginning