Covid19: Community Support and Tips

(*SIFF or its members do not take any responsibility for the tips given here. Please consult your doctor for professional opinion and relevant tests).

Dear SIFF members and their friends,

Since last 1 year, Covid19 pandemic has ravaged the world. The 2nd wave in India is very severe and it is likely that crores of people will get impacted. The healthcare system in India is under great stress. This situation is as worse as any serious natural calamity. We at SIFF are now mobilizing ourselves to support our members, their friends and relatives during these dark hours. We will also attempt to help as many Indians as possible with our resources.

RT PCR Testing: This is the only test available to detect Covid19. However, testing facilities in many small cities and rural areas are very limited or non-existence. There is no home sample collection facilities. Lakhs of people are waiting for days to get themselves tested and then it is taking 2 or 3 more days to get test results. So, people are losing 5 to 6 days while getting results.

Some doctors are saying, people should start taking medications of Covid19 and its potential side effects as soon as they get the symptoms. One should consult a doctor. However, even many doctors are not accessible.

Buy a Pulse Oxymeter and a Thermometer to check your blood Oxygen levels and your body temperature.

What do doctors prescribe once a person shows symptoms of Covid19?
(we will keep updating this)

(It has been found that people who start medication immediately after symptoms have been able to control the disease much better compared to people who waited and wasted 4 to 5 days in uncertainty. The healthcare system has broken down. Until it recovers, people can use some of these tips.)

Doxy 1 tablets (1-0-1), 1 tablet after breakfast and after dinner for 5 days.
Ivermectin, (0-0-1) 1 tablet for 3 days after dinner.
Azee 500 or Azithral 500, (0-1-0) 1 tablet after lunch for 5 days.

(The above medicines are to prevent any risks of secondary infections.

Vitamin C (chewable) tablet, 1 after lunch.
Zincovit (1-1-1), one tablet after breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cetcip, (1-1-1), 1 tablet each after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Famocid, 1 tablet after dinner to prevent acidity.Bro Zedex Cough Syrum 2 table spoons 2 or 3 times a day. It is for wet cough.

If your fever is above 100 deg C, only then take tablets of Chronic advanced or Dolo 650 (maximum 3 tablets a day).

Take a lot of water to remain hydrated. Inhale steam even if you do not have cough or running nose.
You can eat any normal food and fruits. You can also eat dry fruits.

Important tests including blood tests that can show severity of Covid19 in a person:

Blood Tests:
CRP Test: This test is an inflammation marker. It’s normal range is, 0.3 to 6 mg/l. If it is more than 10, then inflammation is really high. This test costs around Rs.400.
D-Dimer test: This test is to assess the risk of blood clotting in a person. Its normal range is less than =500 ng/mL (0.5 mg/ml). This tests costs around Rs.1300 to Rs.1600.
Other Blood tests are: ESR, Ferritin, LDH, CBC

 

Here are three more important medicines that you should keep around you. 

1) Budecort Inhaler Spray: (Do not take this in first 5-6 days of your symptoms). It is used for Asthma. It can help mild and moderate Covid patients recover fast. One has to spray it 3 or 4 times on nose twice a day.
2) Dexamethasone (Dexona): This is a cheap steroid. (Do not take it in the first 5-6 days of your symptoms or if your symptoms are mild). It can be taken only after 5-6 days of start of symptoms if condition gets really serious. If you take it in the beginning, it will worsen the immune system.

What are typical symptoms of Covid19?

The symptoms vary from person to person. They can be fever, body pain, cough, loss of taste and loss of smell etc.

If the people whom you have met few days back are unwell, then there is a very high chance that both they and you may have Covid19. If you develop any symptoms, start medicines and at the same time try to get a RT PCR test done at a facility.

Never ever ignore the symptoms and take some other medications casual. Avoid being in denial.

Not starting medicines early can often worsen the condition.