Everyone is now aware of COVID -19 pandemic and its various clinical manifestations predominantly involving our respiratory organs. Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada reinforces the fact that COVID can cause other complications like Hepatic dysfunction, Acute Kidney Injury, Thrombotic events a COVID patient could experience. The drugs used for the management of COVID-19 themselves can also cause side effects like uncontrolled sugars which can lead to invasive fungal infection. In a conference held at the hospital, the doctors spoke at length about the steps to take care of your health during and post-COVID, and also the ways to tackle the post-COVID complications.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. V.V.K Sandeep, Consultant – ENT, Head & Neck Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada, said “Usage of a high dose of steroids or broad-spectrum antibiotics will increase the risk of invasive fungal infection. Limiting the dose and duration of steroids while using them to treat COVID patients only when indicated, good control of blood sugars during the hospital stay and post-discharge and high index of suspicion can prevent invasive fungal infection. Once invasive fungal infection is diagnosed, it requires surgical exploration, antifungal usage, and diabetic control.”
Dr.Sridhar AVSSN – Consultant Nephrology, Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada, said “Over past 2 months, we had treated around 19 patients who recovered from COVID but have been experiencing invasive fungal sinusitis. Due to early diagnosis, we were able to treat 18 patients with aggressive surgical and medical therapy. All the patients were having pre-existing diabetes and also received steroids during COVID management.”
Adding to this, Dr. Murali Krishna Ganguri, Consultant – Diabetes & Endocrinology “Each of the patients came to us with different complaints which varied from loss of vision, blurring of vision, headache, tooth pain, facial pain, palatal erosion, pain in the temples, and facial paralysis. The most important thing was that timely addressalby the doctor save the condition from further deteriorating to something serious.”
Concluding the conference, Dr. Sudhakar Kantipudi – Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada, said “These complications were something which wasn’t mainstream yet but could lead to fatal outcomes. The message is to create awareness among people who are having diabetes and experiencing COVID infection while educating everyone to be cautious when they experience these complications. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will avoid possible morbidity and mortality in these situations. Make sure that the sugar level is in check during and after COVID treatment to avoid all these complications.”
The conference also saw the participation of the patients, Mr. Amritlal and Mr. Venkateshwara Rao, who shared their first-hand experience and their learnings during the entire process.
