COVID-19, Dengue double infection treatment tricky, needs balanced approach: Doctors

There is “no standard protocol” for treatment of patients who have contracted a double infection of COVID-19 and dengue, and a very “finely balanced” approach is needed to tackle both the ailments at once, experts said on Thursday.
Medical Director of Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) Dr B.L. Sherwal said, both the diseases have no specific treatment, which makes it even difficult for treating doctors of such patients.
“Both COVID-19 and dengue need symptomatic treatment and in some aspects the treatment is kind of contradictory and this tricky. In COVID-19, we inject heparin drug subcutaneously which ultimately reaches the blood stream, and this is done to prevent embolism in these patients which can prove fatal,” he told PTI.
Embolism is sudden blocking of an artery which can obstruct flow of oxygen, and that is why some patients get complications even after treatment, the doctor said.
“In dengue, on the other hand, platelets infusion is needed in cases where its count has fallen to dangerously low level. So, it’s kind of opposite. And, therefore, we can’t inject heparin if a COVID-19 patient has dengue too,” Sherwal said.
So, for a treating doctor or it is like “walking a tight rope” and a very “finely balanced approach” is needed, he said.
LNJP Hospital is the largest hospital under Delhi government and a dedicated COVID-19 facility.
Asked if there are any side effects of treatments in cases of a “double infection”, the source said, “any treatment can have a side effect, but the treating doctor decides the methodology for it”.
A dengue patient, if his or her platelets level falls dangerously below the normal level, needs external platelets infusion.

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