Med First ENT Centre

  The DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) has recently given approval to a drug 2-DG ( 2–deoxy—D—glucose)  for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. Work on this drug was conducted by INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences) and the pharma company Dr Reddy's Labs. What is 2-dg? 2-Deoxy-D- Glucose is a modified glucose molecule, modified in a manner that it cannot undergo Glycolysis (breakdown of glucose molecule to release energy and pyruvate).  It has been in existence since a long time, and initial research on this molecule was conducted as long as sixty years ago. How does it Work? The drug works by concentrating in virus-infected cells.   It is supposed to prevent the multiplication of the virus by stopping the growth of the virus.  It selectively reaches viral affected cells. It reduces the body's need for supplemental oxygen and patients can be weaned off earlier from external oxygen support. The...

 A large majority of patients who are infected by the Coronavirus are either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Most of them are managed at home. This has multiple benefits- you prevent passing on the infection to multiple other persons, you are in the comfort of your house and can enjoy home food, and most important you do not overwhelm hospitals that need beds to treat seriously ill patients. Credible and respected organizations like WHO, CDC, AIIMS have set up and continue to update protocols for home care of a patient diagnosed with Covid-19. Medication                 1. Tab Paracetamol SOS for fever or body ache                 2. Simple over-the-counter antacid, empty stomach - for acidity                 3.  Simple antitussive cough syrup/cough suppressant for a simple cough Steam inhalation at night - for productive cough Points to Note-  ...

As the pandemic rages on in our country, the misery and hopelessness unleashed by the disease are matched equally by our complete lack of common sense in tackling it. A short story will illustrate the situation –  A young patient called me from Dwarka, South Delhi to state that she is Covid -19 positive and that she is sharing a prescription with me to see whether it is ok. The prescription was a handwritten note on a plain piece of paper – no doctor’s name or signature. It contained two antiviral agents, two antibiotics, one antacid, paracetamol 650 mg, one combination of an antihistamine with montelukast, and three vitamin supplements.  So I asked her who wrote this? “Doctor uncle I got this from the security guard bhaiya in the Society. The aunty in another flat was Covid positive so she gave the security guard bhaiya this list of medicines to get for her. He has passed this list to all of us who are positive- so we are all taking these medicines. End of story A large major...