Paracetamol & staying hydrated can cure majority of Covid cases : AIIMS chief

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AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday advised people not to panic amidst the second wave of Covid-19 as in a majority of cases those infected “will recover </p>
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by taking paracetamol and staying hydrated. Medicines are just for the very few critical cases.”</p>
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At the same time he sounded a note of caution as saying : "Vaccine does not prevent you  from getting the infection. Therefore, everyone should maintain Covid appropriate behaviour even after being vaccinated.”</p>
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Dr Guleria was participating in a discussion along with Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health and Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Medanta in a live streaming session on Wednesday to discuss the second coming of the pandemic.</p>
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India’s three eminent  doctors have exhorted people not to panic amid the second wave of Covid-19.  “If you have any symptoms like body ache, cold, cough, indigestion, vomiting- one important message get yourself tested for Covid-19. It is the most important thing."</p>
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Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Medanta also asked people not panic "very few per cent of people will require hospitalisation. But there will be a shortage of hospitals if we panic and become anxious about the pathway we have to follow."</p>
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<strong>Remdesivir factor</strong></p>
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Dr Trehan said, "We have now made a protocol that remdesivir should not be given to everyone who tests Covid-19 positive. Only after doctors look at test results, symptoms, comorbidities of a patient, then, it is to be given. Remdesivir isn’t a ‘Ramban’, it only decreases viral load in people who need it.”</p>
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Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health asked people to be vigilant,  "check your oxygen level. Consult a doctor on time so that you can be treated on the right time."</p>
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<strong>Oxygen woes</strong></p>
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On the shortage of oxygen in the country, experts once again reiterated that "If you don't need oxygen, don't use it. Hospitals must ensure judicious use of oxygen and we have a collective responsibility to ensure the same.”</p>
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"If we work together, there will be no shortage of oxygen in any state whether it is Maharashtra, Delhi, or Chhattisgarh. Therefore, there is no need to hoard oxygen," Guleria added.</p>