Bhubaneswar: With the emergence of black fungus infection in Covid-19 patients in the state, concerns are now being raised over prolonged use of steroids without consulting the doctors.
Experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar said that severe damage caused due to the fungal infection in Covid-19 patients are irreversible and thus prevention could be the only way to tackle the emerging threat.
Dr Swayam Pragyan Parida, Associate Professor at the Community Medicine Department of Bhubaneswar AIIMS, said that citizens should avoid over-the-counter purchase and use of steroids for Covid treatment.
“Indiscriminate and prolonged use of steroids have the potential to reduce immunity level in patients. Steroids are not given to patients with mild symptoms or during initial days of Covid infection. If a person continues steroid use for prolonged period, it can make them prone to infections like black fungus,” Parida said.
She also said that the best way to prevent the black fungus infection is to take steroids only when the doctors advise for it. The doctors can decide the type of drugs, its timing and quantity. She added that the steroids are usually given to moderate and severe patients when their symptoms do not subside after use normal drugs for one week or more.
The state government through its notification on forming a special panel to tackle black fungus infection also said that prolonged steroid use and hospitalisation seem to be acting as precursors to the fungal infection in a few cases.
Parida also talked about the irreversible damage the fungal infection can do to humans. “Patients could get some relief if the infection is detected at an early stage. However, in cases of delayed diagnosis, some irreversible damage to the eyes and brain tissues are noticed where only surgeries would work to some extent,” she said.
People with uncontrolled diabetes, Covid patients treated with steroids or immune modulators and those on mechanical ventilators or on prolonged oxygen therapy are more prone to the disease, said the experts.
