Experts warn that impaired renal function might be potential consequence of self-medication for Long COVID

Long COVID is defined by doctors as a disorder in which, after a patient recovers from a viral infection, some of them may acquire symptoms later. COVID symptoms include headaches, bodily soreness, and a low-grade fever, which can last for months after a person has recovered from the illness. Rather than visiting a doctor, such patients opt to purchase over-the-counter medications and treat their illness on their own. This, according to doctors, has slowed down total healing from COVID. Self-medication can sometimes lead to the development of other chronic conditions, such as renal failure.

Self-medication is used for a variety of reasons. Dr. Vivek Nangia, head and main director of pulmonology at Max Hospital in Saket, believes that individuals self-medicate for a simple reason. “People rely on a great deal of hearsay. They believe what their friends tell them or what they read on social media. They would rather rely on rumours. Even now, I encounter patients who come to me and tell that their family member advised something different; that they requested a specific test be performed, etc “Nangia said. He went on to say that rumours like these, which promote self-medication, frequently offer patients a false feeling of security, leading them to believe they can manage their disease at home.

“It may be true in some instances, but proper diagnosis can only be given by a doctor. Treatment should solely be taken on advise of a physician. OTC drugs can provide temporary relief but not a permanent treatment method,” he added.

Self medication is a strict no-no Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, additional director-HOD, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad told News9 that whatever the case may be, self-medication for COVID symptoms and long COVID is one of the most dangerous things to do. “The impact of doing this has been seen especially during the second wave. Many patients, we saw, in the second week of their illness, started taking steroids without consulting a doctor and proper diagnosis. Steroids are to be taken, only under a doctor’s supervision. First, if the oxygen levels fall. Second, only when you are in the second week of the illness. But people didn’t adhere to this. We saw cases of Black and White fungus in patients which was due to people using over-the-counter steroids,” Jha said.

Self medication is a strict no-no Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, additional director-HOD, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad told News9 that whatever the case may be, self-medication for COVID symptoms and long COVID is one of the most dangerous things to do. “The impact of doing this has been seen especially during the second wave. Many patients, we saw, in the second week of their illness, started taking steroids without consulting a doctor and proper diagnosis. Steroids are to be taken, only under a doctor’s supervision. First, if the oxygen levels fall. Second, only when you are in the second week of the illness. But people didn’t adhere to this. We saw cases of Black and White fungus in patients which was due to people using over-the-counter steroids,” Jha said.

Seconds Senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Dr. Rajesh Kumar Buddhiraja. He warns us that taking paracetamol three to four times a day for seven to eight days is not recommended.”It is important to find out what one is suffering from; what the parameters are and what various diagnostic tests reveal. There is no medicine that should be taken over-the-counter. Go to a doctor and find out the problem. Finding out the root cause is a must. COVID is a new disease and we don’t know how and to what degree people are popping pills without a doctor’s advise, causing harm to the body,” Buddhiraja said.

Diagnosis must for long COVID According to Dr Buddhiraja, long COVID is well documented today. “After the second wave, many people developed it. In several cases, the symptoms like low grade fever, head ache, and body ache subside on their own; no medication is required. But some needed treatment and medication. But before that diagnosis, that it is actually long COVID is a must. While there is no specific test for this, it is all about diagnosis of exclusion. A person who has had COVID-19, and after that he has persistent fever, we have to rule out every other disease like TB. Only then the treatment protocol is changed,” Buddhiraja quoted in conclusion.