Odisha Public Health Director Spells Out Pros & Cons Of Steroids In COVID Treatment

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday said that steroids are to be used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Centre.

Speaking to the media here, Director, Public Health Niranjan Mishra said that steroids are given to moderate and critical COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen support. However, the use of this drug has good and bad effects.

He said that it reduces the dis-regulated immune response, which is the natural response of the body against any illnesses. Although it does not cure the illness, it gives temporary relief and works only when taken in the right amount or dosage.

“If steroids are not given at right time and in the right amount, it can do more harm than good. Timing, dosage and duration are extremely critical in steroids when it comes to treating any disease and not just COVID-19,” he pointed out.

Talking about the third wave of COVID-19, Mishra said that the experts have pointed out that the impact of the third wave will be low compared to the second wave. But as the possibility of the onset of the third wave in Odisha cannot be ruled out, the state government is ready to tackle the situation.

“To protect the people against the third wave, we will have to intensify the vaccination. We will vaccinate as many people as possible if the Centre provides an adequate number of doses,” he said.