Health Ministry issues fresh guidelines for patients recovering from COVID-19

Last updated on February 15th, 2023 at 12:40 pm

As the daily number of Coronavirus infections continue to rise across India, the central government recently released a set of fresh ‘Post COVID-19 Management Protocol’ for patient who have recovered from the acute disease. According to the Union Health Ministry, even after recovering from the COVID-19 illness, patients can witness symptoms such as fatigue, cough, body ache, difficulty in breathing and sore throat. It further added that people who suffered from severe COVID-19 symptoms and patients with pre-existing illnesses are likely to take longer to completely recovery from the disease.

Noting these factors, the Health Ministry has issued new guidelines, recommending recovered patients to ensure follow-up checks (physical/telephonic) within seven days after discharge, preferably at the hospital/medical centre where they received their treatment.

“Immunity promoting AYUSH medicine (to be prescribed only by practitioners permitted under law for prescribing the medicine/therapy under specific stream) including AyushKwath, Samshamanivati, or Giloy powder, Ashwagandha, Amla fruit one daily/Amla powder etc., have also been recommended,’’

Health Ministry

“Severe cases requiring critical care support will require more stringent follow up,” it noted.

In the protocols, the Centre has strongly advocated for a holistic approach for the well-being of the post-COVID-19 management of recovering patients, suggesting regular physical exercise in form of yoga, walks and pranayama. In cooperation with the Ministry of AYUSH, the Health Ministry has also recommended patients to take prescribed immunity-boosting medicines after recovery, along with drinking adequate amount of warm water and the use of Chyawanprash every day.

“Immunity promoting AYUSH medicine (to be prescribed only by practitioners permitted under law for prescribing the medicine/therapy under specific stream) including AyushKwath, Samshamanivati, or Giloy powder, Ashwagandha, Amla fruit one daily/Amla powder etc., have also been recommended,’’ said the Ministry in the protocols.

Recovering patients have been suggested to follow these new guidelines while adhering to existing preventive protocols including continuous use of face mask, maintain physical distance and regular washing hands to maintain hygiene.

The ministry also emphasis on being attentive towards early warning of breathlessness, high-grade fever, drop in oxygen levels, unexplained chest pain, focal weakness and new onset of confusion.

“One should constantly monitor their health and look for early signs like a drop in oxygen level or unexplained chest pain,” the Ministry said in the fresh guidelines.

In addition, as per the guidelines, recovered patients have been urged to spread awareness among the society by sharing their positive experiences with family and friends through social media, community-based group, opinion leaders, in a bid to curtail stigma and myths.

India has become the second worst-affected country by the pandemic in the world. According to the Health Ministry data, the country has reported more than 92,000 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, resulting in the country’s COVID-19 crossing the 48-lakh mark on Monday.

Read: NDA seat-sharing talks for Bihar elections imminent