In these days of restricted movements, I, a medical practitioner, is required to go out and attend to my patients. These include those who are already undergoing my treatment or previous known people requiring fresh medical attention. This is still much minimal movement as compared to routine daily practice and socialization. This carries risk in the present environment of Covid-19. One tries to avoid visits and travel where even otherwise one notices barricades and inquiries by police authorities.
In one of my recent experiences, a patient had sudden chills and fever with breathlessness. I had treated him for acute abdominal pain more than a month ago. At that time, he was also being treated for cold, cough and constipation by a physician for a week. He was referred to me following High WBC counts and USG abdomen showing Acute Cholecystitis. When first seen by me, he was breathless with Bilateral Pedal Oedema and high fever. I treated him at Corporate Hospital ICU with supportive HIV fluids, broadspectrum antibiotics and cardiologist opinion. His LVEF was 20%. His Renal function was impaired. He was also being treated by critical care specialists.
Sad, during this Septicaemia, he had a cardiac arrest. Being in ICU, he could be revived. There was no neurological deficit and later he was discharged safely.
However, at the time of pandemic, he was attended for fever, breathlessness and chills. The lockdown made it difficult to get blood tests done. Radiology was not comfortably available. He was treated at home with pulse rate of 128/minute, SpO2 84% and high temperature.
With a dedicated medical intervention, the patient has been recovering. There had been many impediments like restricted movements, difficulties in blood tests and other services.
Therefore, one needs to have routine medical services always. And all the more during the lockdown. As of now, one must also be careful and take preventive measures such as using face masks and sticking to the social distancing norms.
Author:
Dr. Ramnik Singh Bhalla, Associate Professor, General Surgery, Karnavati School of Dentistry (KSD)
Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.
