In India, doctors are facing challenges in diagnosing and treating long Covid due to limited guidelines and insufficient research, despite a global push to understand its prevalence following the World Health Organization’s declaration ending Covid’s status as a global health emergency. Long Covid, a condition marked by persistent symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues, remains poorly understood, though it significantly burdens healthcare systems. A study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases indicated regional variations, with long Covid incidence at 31% in North America, 44% in Europe, and 51% in Asia.
In India, a study by Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi revealed that 45% of formerly infected individuals experienced lingering symptoms, highlighting a major gap in understanding and managing long Covid. Experts like Dr. Rajesh Sagar from AIIMS emphasize the need for comprehensive research on the condition, especially in light of neuroinflammatory issues reported by researchers such as Animesh Samanta. Doctors have noticed an increase in cases of asthma-like symptoms and unexplained neurological conditions post-Covid, complicating the diagnosis process due to the lack of specific tests.
Current diagnostic methods rely on general tests like checking inflammatory markers, but efforts to develop more precise tools are underway, including Samanta’s fluorescent probe for detecting brain cell inflammation. Despite these advances, comprehensive treatment guidelines are absent, as evidenced by the limited publication of results from existing clinical trials. Researchers call for more focused studies addressing biological causes and potential interventions of long Covid, with existing trials highlighting the range of potential treatments from physical therapy to pharmacological options like paxlovid. As the medical community continues to grapple with the complexities of long Covid, expanding research and developing effective management strategies remain critical priorities.
Original Story https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/doctors-struggle-to-treat-long-covid-patients-in-india-researchers-point-to-inadequate-studies/114670771
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Publish Date: 2024-10-28 06:26:00
