JAMMU, MAY 08: Professor and Head of Department, Chest Disease, GMC Jammu, Dr Rahul Gupta today cautioned against use of Remdesivir without proper diagnosis, adding that Remdesivir is not to be used in patients who are not on oxygen support or in home settings.He said that the drug was initially used in treatment of Ebola and can also help reduce duration of hospital stay of a Covid-19 patient. He warned that the antiviral has its own side effects and should never be administered through self-diagnosis and on mild category Covid patients. ‘It should only be used under doctor’s observation’, he informed.Elaborating the hazards of self-medication, Dr Rahul Gupta said that instead of taking medicines indiscriminately one should regularly monitor body temperature and oxygen saturation levels. ‘If oxygen saturation levels are observed to be between 94 to 90, it is a sign of caution’ he said adding “If the levels are below 90, one should immediately approach a doctor.” He also assured that the government hospitals are well equipped to handle all kinds of Covid cases.The HoD also warned against use of steroids in the initial phase of Covid-19 infection, especially by the mild category patients and said that ‘it will cause you more harm than benefit’.For all Covid related doubts and queries, a round-the-clock Divisional Control Room has been established and can be reached at 0191-2520982, 2549676, 2674444, 2674115, 2674908.
