Revised DGHS Guidelines Advises Against CT Scans & Use Of Covid Meds For Asymptomatic Cases

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> The Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare's Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a revised guideline for Covid management. In the guidelines, published last week, the DGHS dropped all medicines, except antipyretic and antitussive, for asymptomatic and mild cases.</p> <p id="2" class="story_para_2">The guidelines come at a time when the country is seeing a dip in daily cases after a devastating second wave.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <span style="color: #f80707;"><a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/2TOvzCA Vote Wahan Vaccination: Delhi CM's New Initiative, Polling Booth Agents To Provide Slots For 45+</a></span></strong></p> <p>According to the new guidelines, all drugs including hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, doxycycline, zinc, multivitamins, etc prescribed by the doctors to asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic Covid-19 patients have been dropped retaining only antipyretic for fever and antitussive for cold symptoms.</p> <p id="2" class="story_para_2">The guidelines have also discouraged medical practitioners to prescribe unnecessary tests such as CT scans. "HRCT scan chest should not be done for the purpose of diagnosing/ screening Covid-19 infection. Diagnosis of Covid-19 should be done only by using approved laboratory tests as recommended by the ICMR."</p> <p class="story_para_2">It highlighted the importance of following Covid appropriate behavior for hand hygiene and mask-wearing while continuing that people who do see Covid symptoms must seek teleconsultations and consume a healthy balanced diet with proper hydration. For asymptomatic patients, the guidelines said that no medication is required except for those with comorbidities who need to continue taking their prescribed medicines.</p> <p class="story_para_2">It also advised, "patients and family to stay connected and engage in positive talks through phone, video-calls, etc."</p> <p class="story_para_2">For people with mild symptoms, the guidelines recommended self-monitoring for fever, breathlessness, oxygen saturation (SpO2), or worsening of any symptoms. It further, suggested that people may take antipyretic and anti-tussive for symptomatic relief, and inhalation of budesonide at a dose of 800 mcg twice a day for 5 days for a cough.</p> <p class="story_para_2">&lsquo;No other Covid-19 specific medication is required. The patient may have to be investigated further if symptoms persist or deteriorate,&rsquo; the guideline said.</p> <p class="story_para_2">The guidelines have strictly advised against the self-medication of steroids stating they are harmful in asymptomatic and mild cases of Covid-19</p>

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