Avoid CT scan, steroids in case of mild symptoms
New Delhi: AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria warned against rushing for CT scans in cases of mild COVID-19, saying there are side effects and it can end up doing more harm than good.
“One CT scan is equal to 300 to 400 chest X-rays. According to data, repeated CT scans in younger age groups increases the risk of cancer in later life.
“Exposing yourself to radiation again and again may cause damage. So there is no point in doing CT scan in mild COVID-19 cases if oxygen saturation is normal,” he said.
He said many people take steroids in early stage itself which could lead to replication of the virus.
“Steroids are for moderate illness only and patients with mild illness under home isolation, do not require the same, he said, adding CT scans are biomarkers are being misused and they can be harmful as well.
On mutant strains, Agarwal said the field strategy for management of COVID-19 remains the same irrespective of it being caused by a double mutant virus or UK variant or South Africa or Brazil mutant.
“Some mutants have higher transmissibility, but mutant or no mutant, the actions to be taken to control the disease remains the same. We cannot be complacent in following COVID appropriate behaviour,” he stated. (PTI)
Press Trust of India
