KATHMANDU, May 9: The outbreak of the second wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spiked the rate of infection in Nepal. At the moment, the possibility of getting a bed in a hospital is very difficult due to the growing number of patients affected by the virus. For the past few weeks, many hospitals in the country have been facing a shortage of medical oxygen due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 infections on a daily basis.  

Also, the majority of patients are currently staying isolated at their homes as the crowd of infected patients in hospitals rises to extreme levels. People who are staying in home isolations are concerned and want to know about the measures to follow, when encountering oxygen deprivation. Such questions have started to revolve, as even hospitals are unable to provide oxygen to patients suffering from COVID-19. 

Regarding such questions, Dr Anup Subedi has provided some suggestions to follow for those who are staying isolated at their homes and are suffering from COVID-19. 

What should COVID-19 patients staying home do when their oxygen level decreases?

(when treatments and oxygen are unavailable)

Answer: Start consuming steroid medicines. 

It is the most important and life-saving medicine against COVID-19.

One should remember not to consume this medicine unless the oxygen level in the body decreases, but it has been a life-saving medicine for people suffering from decrease in oxygen levels in their body.

If the level of oxygen drops below 92 after placing a finger in an oximeter for 30 to 60 seconds, then the oxygen level is considered to be low.

Also, taking Tab methylprednisolone 32 mg ( 2 tablets of 16 mg or 4 tablets of 8 mg per day) or either Tab Dexamethasone 6 mg ( 12 tablets of 0.5 mg per day) or Tab Prednisolone 40 mg per day after a meal is suggested. 

However, people suffering from diabetes may have to measure their blood sugar level and increase their diabetic medications accordingly, as the drugs mentioned above also raise blood sugar.

One should not stop looking for oxygen or admission in hospitals even if one starts to take such medicines. 

Taking such medications helps to slow the effect of the infection, buy some time and in some cases one may not need to use oxygen. 

These medicines are abundant in the market and purchasing them only in time of need will not create any shortage. There is no need to create artificial scarcity by buying and stocking them unnecessarily. 

(“I have done this to help hundreds of COVID-19 patients in home isolation who are unable to get access to treatment in hospitals amid the outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19. I might be doing this against the rules and regulations of Nepal Medical Council but I cannot help myself from writing this.” - Dr Anup Subedi)

 
• Coronavirus
 
• Things-to-do
 
• Oxygen-level
 
• Medicine