Change lifestyle to check spread of corona

Pandemic Covid-19, which infected over 50 lakh people in the World, may be around for 1 or 2 years and we should learn to live in safe environment to protect ourselves from the dreaded infection.

Collective efforts should be made by the people, government, NGOs, medical fraternity etc to keep the world safe from the pandemic coronavirus.

It spread to more than 50 lakh people in more than 200 countries in just six months. We can imagine the intensity of its speed and nature to attack people mercilessly.

So, we have to change our lifestyle particularly related to hygiene. We must continue to practice personal hygiene, maintain social distancing, regular hand washing whenever need, sanitiser, avoiding crowds for may be one or two years. We can't sit at home all the time.

Even at home one can do exercise that will increase our immunity and take good diet that help to enhance fitness and immunity.

On the other hand, the Government should conduct more tests, improve health infrastructure facilities, concentrate on improvement of quality of education particularly medical in public sector.

People should realise that present sense of discipline, the importance of hygiene, respect for doctors, nurses, health care workers, police, revenue and the government officials. Should continue for this alone augurs well for the future of India.

"Herd Immunity" is a mirage. Immunity through vaccine is a possible realty. Lead as normal life as possible.

As a physician with 46 years of clinical experience I wish to share my observations that there are always season respiratory infections caused by viruses influenza/Flu.

During 2002-2003 we had SARS caused by SARS Coronavirus with about 8,000 cases and 10 per cent mortality.

In 2012 a novel coronavirus caused pneumonia and deaths in Middle East over countries. MERS-COV transmitted from bats to camels and then humans.

Now, the Covid-19 starts off like any respiratory infection with fever, sore throat, cold, cough, body pains and headache. Needs prompt testing for coronavirus and avoiding public places are to be followed.

The corona infected suffer from breathlessness and need Oxygen, ICU care and ventilator. India has already crossed 1.50 lakh cases and majority appears to be asymptomatic carriers, wildly symptomatic but recover.

Few go on to die despite ICU care and ventilator. The virus has undergone mutations. It is a tussle between viral load and patients' immunity. The most vulnerable are old aged with co morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, CAD, cancer and obesity.

Treatment protocols suggested for Covid-19 is bed rest, hydration, IV fluids, paracetamol, antibiotics to prevent secondary infection and treatment of comorbid conditions and other drugs to cure the infected.

Dr. S Ramakrishna Senior Physician Vijayawada