Now there’s a greater chance of survival for those getting infected 6 months later than those who got infected 6 months earlier. The reason for this is that Doctors and scientists know more about Covid-19 now and hence are able to treat patients better
#Covid_19 was initially thought to cause deaths due to *pneumonia* so Ventilators were thought to be the best way to treat sick patients who couldn’t breathe.*Now we are realising that the virus causes blood clots in the blood vessels of the lungs* and other parts of the body
Now we know that just providing oxygen by ventilators will not help but we have to prevent and dissolve the micro clots in the lungs. This is why we are using drugs like *Asprin and Heparin ( blood thinners that prevents clotting) as protocol in treatment regimens in June 2020
Previously patients used to drop dead on the road due to reduced oxygen in their blood-OXYGEN SATURATION
This was because of HYPOXIA the oxygen saturation was gradually reducing the #Covid_19 patients did not have symptoms until it became critically less, like sometimes even 70%.
Now since knowing about hypoxia we are monitoring oxygen saturation of all #Covid_19 patients with a simple pulse oxymeter and getting them to hospital if their oxygen saturation drops to 93% or less. This gives more time for doctors to correct the oxygen deficiency in the blood
Now we have 2 important medicines
FAVIPIRAVIR & REMDESIVIR
Which are ANTIVIRALS that can kill the #Covid_19
we can prevent patients from becoming severely infected and therefore cure them BEFORE THEY GO TO HYPOXIA. This knowledge we did not have in Feb 2020.
Many #Covid_19 patients die not just because of the virus but also due the patients own immune system responding In an exaggerated manner called CYTOKINE STORM. This stormy strong immune response not only kills the virus but also kills the patients. We didn't knew this in Feb
Now we know that easily available medicines called Steroids, DEXAMETHASONE that doctors around the world have been using for almost 80 years can be used to prevent the cytokine storm in some CRITICALLY I'LL PATIENTS.
Scientists discovered that a chemical known as Alpha DEFENSIN produced by the patients White blood cells can cause the micro clots in blood vessels of the lungs and this could possibly be prevented by a drug called COLCHICINE used over many decades in the treatment of Gout.
There’s nothing to panic about #Covid_19 if we remember that a person who gets infected, later has a better chance at survival than one who got infected early.
Let’s follow simple precautions
6 feet distancing from others
Wear proper masks
Work from home whenever possible
Order home delivery of food groceries and vegetables