Why Covid diagnosis is difficult these days: Here's what doctors say as cases near 5,000
Covid-19 cases are rising once again in India, but this time, the symptoms are milder, something doctors say could be misleading and risky.
According to a report by TOI, most patients in this new surge are showing only mild symptoms like a low-grade fever and light cough. Because these signs seem flu-like, many people are ignoring them and taking over-the-counter medicines instead of getting tested.
Doctors, however, are warning against this. 'The mild symptoms are misleading. Many people delayed visiting a doctor until their fever wouldn't go away,' said Dr Raja Dhar, Director of Pulmonology at
CMRI
, as quoted by TOI.
'If you test positive, you must isolate, especially to protect elderly family members with other health issues. If symptoms last beyond four to five days, especially in older people, hospitalisation should be considered.'
CMRI currently has seven Covid patients admitted.
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Dr Sayan Chakrabarty from Manipal Hospitals agreed, adding that many patients with persistent fever were later found to be Covid positive. 'Most of the cases are mild so far, and five of our Covid patients have already been discharged,' he said.
Even among senior citizens, the symptoms are gentler compared to earlier waves. Pulmonologist Dr Soumya Sengupta from Charnock Hospital told TOI that Covid pneumonia has been rare this time. 'Most elderly patients who tested positive are in hospital for other health issues, and their Covid symptoms are quite mild,' he said.
Experts believe that the JN.1 variant of Omicron is currently circulating. Dr Dhar explained that while this strain spreads quickly, it seems to be less dangerous. 'Still, if you test positive, it's best to isolate for five days and take medicines to ease the symptoms. Even mild Covid can trigger complications in people with existing heart or lung conditions,' he said.
Doctors expect this wave to last only a few more weeks, but only if people stay alert and don't brush off the signs.
Inputs from TOI
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