It looks like we all are facing times of unbelievable uncertainty, the times where all of us are trying hard to find the answer to one question that when & how we are going to get over with this coronavirus issue.
So,
what have we found out? Coronavirus infection rates growing exponentially but
most of the infected people showing excellent recovery. Now that's very
reassuring and calms us down. But there are that minor but notable 3 percent
deaths in India from it, which is enough to frighten us too.
When we study articles written by epidemiologists,
researchers & scientists which are published by renowned journals,
coronavirus appears to be a much bigger problem than a respiratory infection
problem. It's causing inflammation in blood vessels - which means that it has
the potential to cause stroke, heart attacks. Very recently it has been
reported that it causes brain damage. Add to it the reports talking about
permanent damage seen in the lungs.
On the treatment side through these journals what we
know is that there is work in progress but nothing to confirm that it shall be
available within some specific time frame.
On the other hand, we have survivors coming on radio,
TV, and social platforms talking to us about their experience with the virus.
They are telling us not to worry even a bit as it's just like to be with normal
cold and cough symptoms which heals on its own in a maximum 2-week time.
Generally, we follow the experts and authorities in
power to conclude our thoughts. But even they seem to differ in opinions. The
doctors are of divided opinion on what to tell to people. Some say no need to
fear and some believe in asking people not to take it lightly.
Political leadership plays an important role in driving
perception. But it's difficult to conclude when it's unstable, for example when
at one time we see President Trump on TV without a mask and then eventually
some other day with a mask on. The question is what's the message.
On messaging very laudable comes out to be Our
Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He has till now maintained a
uniform approach towards the disease and in every address to country Mother
India has urged people to take precautions and steps to prevent infection
spread. He has been absolutely clear in communicating that there is no
medicine, no vaccine, and no treatment for this infection.
So, what do we make out of it? That's probably the
hardest question to answer.
Carrying on with fear leaves us in distress. It
directly affects our health by causing hormonal imbalance, disturbing rhythms,
disrupting sleep. Such changes scientifically are proven to lower the immunity,
cause health issues, hence putting our lives at risk.
But if not worried then it's risky too. An example is a
43- year old patient of mine who by himself declared this virus as a
non-serious threat and went all out with the least of precautions.
Unfortunately, he got infected, landed in ICU. Though he has regained his
health back, the miseries could have been avoided. So, we see by going easy
on the virus there is an overwhelming tendency to be careless towards the
infection.
We do have reports of some medicine like dexamethasone
and remdesivir or plasma treatment helping patients recover but it must be made
clear that they are still not sure-shot treatment tools because if they were
then there shouldn't be any deaths at all.
These are unprecedented times that perhaps needs all of
us to be powerful forces- the ones who are alert, composed, adapting, strong,
and collaborative.
It shouldn't be much to ask if we are required to act
in such a way that we bring ourselves back home without getting infected and
help others do so.
What we know for sure is that by wearing masks, washing
hands with soap for 20 seconds, sanitizer use, and social or physical
distancing we can save us from getting infected. Additional preparedness that
can help could be - knowing corona cases in your living community, seeking
information through credible media sources, minimizing face to face chats,
knowing beforehand about the risk of infection from people you are going to
meet.
We have heard a lot about corona warrior and corona
survivors. What we also need to be is corona monitors. We can prepare
ourselves, educate our linked ones to become corona monitors, to enforce corona
prevention steps in their respective surroundings.
There is always an end to misery, just a matter of time. Till that time arrives it's a journey we all are making together & hence this makes it of utmost importance that we are on the same page. It means to be united on all fronts.
The article is authored by Punjab Rattan Honorary
Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor who is currently working as Vice Chairman -Interventional
Cardiology at Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, India
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