This virus is an equaliser, says expert

Of concerns and clarity, Dr Bhansali addresses his audience in the interaction

When it comes to the novel Coronavirus, there are many questions. Expert Dr Gautam Bhansali, Infectious Diseases Department, Bombay Hospital and member Maharashtra State COVID Task Force, took a wide range of questions in a riveting online interaction held by the Thakur Complex Residents' Association (Kandivli E) on Saturday. The session, called ‘Facing the Challenges of the 2nd Wave,' saw questions flying in thick and fast, with the doc engaging with his audience in a one-hour discussion.

As moderator Sandeep Ohri introduced the panelists saying they thought an interaction was important, given the massive amount of advice and information doing the rounds, Sanjay Jaiswal from the Residents' Association said they had been inundated with queries, and "getting so many calls, ever since this session was announced."

Dr Gautam Bhansali answers some questions...

Is the virus airborne and does that explain its rapid spread?
It is not 100 per cent proven that it is airborne. A study in Lancet has stated this, but it has to be proved fully. This is a second wave, a tsunami which is going to infect a very large number of people, precisely because we have not followed COVID-19 protocols. The vaccination programme has not been as quick and widespread and younger people are getting infected.

We see youngsters turning positive, now. Why is that?
I appreciate this question. The reasons may be manifold, from younger persons not following COVID appropriate behaviour to some complacency from them, that this virus will not affect them too much as many do not have comorbidities. The biggest factor though is that the younger generation, the most mobile have not been vaccinated, the vaccination avenue has just been opened up for them. The older generation has got the benefit of the vaccine. We, as doctors, are also greatly affected when we lose a young life. Every single death is a tragedy, but it is more painful seeing young COVID casualties, people who have not yet lived their lives to the fullest.

In the first wave we saw cases from the slums. In the second wave are there more cases in high-rises or affluent areas?
Yes, this is true as of now. The affluent may be slightly complacent thinking we have money, connections, we can get a hospital bed, remdesivir… whatever. Yet, let us remember this virus is an equaliser. It does not differentiate between rich or poor, beggar or celebrity, it can infect and adversely affect all equally.

I have recovered from COVID in June 2020. Should I be worried about getting it again?
Yes, you can get it, we are seeing re-infections in patients. So, it is important never to let down your guard, when it comes to COVID-apt behaviour.

What if residents of housing societies do not follow rules?
Residents of housing societies often step out after seven days saying: I am okay now. You have to keep a watch out for that. The COVID positive person may be asymptomatic but he can infect others. Be considerate about other members in your society. Sanitisation of common areas like lift buttons, just to give one example, has to be done. You have to be very strict. This is not about being nice to maintain relations, it is about looking at keeping people safe. If rules continue to be flouted, there are several avenues to complain and there is a possibility that an FIR can be filed in certain cases.

If I have body ache, fever and cough, should I go to hospital?
Do not run to the hospital, first check your oxygen level, lie on your stomach and chest and see if oxygen level is maintained at 93-94. Oxygen saturation level is most critical criteria. Do the CT scan once in the second week of your infection, please do not do so numerous times.

In the first wave we did not hear about oxygen shortage, now this has become omnipresent...
That is because earlier in Mumbai, we had 2,700 cases I think as an all-time high. Out of that about 200 patients needed oxygen. So, the demand was not that high and we could meet it.

Why are patient's kin being told to procure Remdesivir?
Remdesivir is ineffective when it comes to mortality, but it can shorten your hospital stay. There is so much pressure from patients themselves and their relatives to give the patient Remdesivir. The media has also played its part by beating the drums about remdesivir. There is this entire hungama going on and intense pressure to procure it. At times, relatives blame doctors that their loved one was not given Remdesivir and so fell even more ill because of that… the pressure is tremendous.

Do we need to do an antibody test after taking vaccines to check vaccine's efficacy?
No, there is no need. The government has greenlighted these vaccines only after being convinced about their effectiveness. If you wish to do the test for your own satisfaction though, you may do so.