New COVID Guidelines: Get Tested For TB If Cough Persists For 2-3 Weeks

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New Delhi: Light fever, cough and cold have been found to be the common symptoms of the Omicron-driven third wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said in its latest guidelines that if cough persists in COVID-positive patients for more than two to three weeks, they should be tested for tuberculosis (TB).

Doctors treating COVID-infected patients have also been advised to avoid prescribing steroids.

According to the Health ministry’s revised clinical guidelines for management of adult COVID patients, use of steroids pushes up risk of secondary infections like black fungus, and hence should be avoided.

“Anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy (such as steroids) can have risk of secondary infection such as invasive mucormycosis when used too early, at higher dose or for longer than required,” stated the guidelines released on Monday.

The COVID National Task Force observed that there is no evidence to prove patients who don’t require oxygen supplementation benefit from injectable steroids.

COVID-positive people with mild symptoms will continue to be isolated at home for a week. Severe patients will have to be treated in ICU while patients with moderate symptoms will have to be admitted to COVID ward.