Health Departments warns against indiscriminate use of steroids

Patiala, May 16

Amid the fear of black fungus infection, the Patiala Health Department today warned the quacks and registered medical practitioners (RMPs) against prescribing unregulated steroids and antibiotics to Covid patients.

The department said the abuse of steroids and antibiotics could prove fatal for Covid patients. Health officials made an appeal to people to avoid self-medication. “It has been learnt that many people have been taking antibiotics and steroids on their own. The Health Department fears that use of steroids without doctor’s advice could lead to black fungus in future,” they said.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Satinder Singh said: “We have directed the medical practitioners in villages to stop prescribing steroids without Covid tests. It has come to fore that many practitioners in the villages are giving steroids even without getting patients tested for Covid.”

Dr Sachin Kaushal, Department of Medicine, Government Rajindra Hospital, said patients start taking steroids even without any symptoms. “Besides, patients who are immunocompromised – having ailments such as diabetes, kidney or liver problems – were also at a higher risk of black fungus. Those who have already recovered were also vulnerable,” he said. — TNS