Covid: Centre warns against self-medication, steroid use

NEW DELHI: All mild and asymptomatic Covid-19 patients, including those infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV2, can now isolate at home, the government said in its revised guidelines for home isolation. The period for home isolation has also been reduced to seven days from testing positive for Covid-19 and with no fever for three successive days, compared to 10 days earlier.

So far, the confirmed or suspected Omicron infected cases were mandatorily isolated in hospitals or placed in home isolation for 10 days.

However, home isolation is not recommended for immuno-compromised patients such as those with HIV-positive, transplant recipients, cancer patients, etc. Elderly patients aged 60 and above, and those with comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung, liver and kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, etc are advised to undertake home isolation only after proper medical evaluation, according to the guidelines.

The Centre also said there should be requisite facilities at homes to quarantine family contacts and ideally a caregiver should be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

It also advised people to not to rush for self-medication, blood investigation or radiological imaging like chest X-ray or CT scan without consultation of treating medical officer.

Underlining that steroids are not recommended in mild disease and should not be self-administered, the ministry said overuse and inappropriate use of steroids may lead to additional complications.

Treatment for every patient needs to be monitored individually as per the specific condition of the patient concerned and hence generic sharing of prescriptions should be avoided, the revised guidelines stated.

There is no need for re-testing after the home isolation period is over. Asymptomatic contacts of infected individuals need not undergo Covid test and monitor health in home quarantine, the guidelines stated.

“Information floating through social media mentioning non-authentic and non-evidence based treatment protocols can harm patients. Misinformation leading to creation of panic and in-turn undertaking tests and treatment which are not required has to be avoided,” it said.

The revised guidelines also specified that the district administration under the overall supervision of the State Health Authority shall be responsible for monitoring patients under home isolation.