Updates on Covid-19 (original article published in Vol 11 Issue 2, remedies last updated in Vol 12 Issue 2 - March/April 2021)

India and other countries are currently recovering or being hit from yet another wave of Covid-19 and the virus is said to be more infectious than it was previously. It is important to be aware of the newest symptoms of Covid-19 to be able to identify them, take timely treatment and avoid complications. Commonly known symptoms of this infection have been fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, aching muscles, loss of taste and smell and in some cases, abdominal pain. 

Symptoms observed during second wave infection

1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea): the infection causes lung damage leading to decrease in oxygen saturation (SpO2) level; this is a predominant symptom.
2. Gastrointestinal tract infection: includes loss of hunger, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Most patients complain of persistent diarrhoea for 1 to 14 days, with an average duration of 5 days.
3. Hearing loss: may be sudden, could be mild, moderate or severe and may include tinnitus.
4. Extreme lethargy and weakness: is much worse during the second wave.
5. Pink eye or conjunctivitis: commonly includes itching, redness, and tearing of the eyes, resulting in puffy or watery eyes, sometimes accompanied by constant eye irritation and sensitivity to light. This is predominant in one eye, unlike normal conjunctivitis which usually affects both eyes.
6. Dry mouth: a common initial symptom. Since the mouth is a potential entry point for the virus, it can attack the tissues and mucus lining of the  oral cavity, resulting in decreased saliva production and thus, dry mouth; could also be a dry tongue, changes in the colour and texture of the tongue, sores or blisters, and difficulty in eating.
7. Headache: a normal headache that continues for a long time and does not subside with painkillers, appears to be a new symptom during the second wave.
8. Skin rash: mainly on hands and feet, usually called acral rash.
9. Weight loss: another recently identified symptom.

If you develop any of the above symptoms, do not panic. It is advisable to isolate yourself from other family members and get yourself checked for Covid-19, after consulting your doctor. However, if you have tightness or pain in the chest, pale or blue-coloured skin, sudden loss of speech or movement, or new confusion, seek medical care immediately.

Covid-related complications

1. Mucormycosis or Black fungus: Infection of patients, who recovered from Covid, with highly dangerous black fungus has reached epidemic level in India. It mainly affects patients with health issues that reduce ability to fight environmental pathogens. Mainly at risk are those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, comorbidities post-transplant or malignancy, or on immunosuppressant by steroids, or after prolonged ICU stay. Do not ignore the warning signs: pain/redness around eyes or nose, headache, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, altered mental state, fever and coughing. It is vital that post-Covid diabetic patients monitor and control their blood sugar, also only distilled water is used for humidifiers during oxygen therapy. Never self-medicate with steroids, anti-fungal medicines and antibiotics as their judicious use is imperative.
2. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): In rare cases after 2 to 6 weeks of initial recovery from Covid-19, MIS-C may occur, which requires prompt hospitalization. Signs and symptoms include: fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, pain in stomach, skin rash, rapid breathing, red eyes, swelling of lips and tongue, excessive crying, drowsiness, and excessive sleepiness.
3. Intestinal gangrene: More recently, cases of Covid-induced intestinal clots resulting in gangrene have emerged. If this is left untreated for 24 hours, the chances of survival drop to 50%.

As the virus seems to be highly infectious we cannot stress enough that practitioners should proactively encourage all patients to strictly adhere to the guidelines given by their local health authorities in respect of prevention and treatment of this virus and any ensuing conditions resulting from this infection.  Keep stressing on the importance of abiding by Covid-19 appropriate behaviour such as mask, strict hand hygiene, and physical distancing, advising people who experience Covid symptoms to seek teleconsultations and to consume a healthy balanced diet with proper hydration. The patients and their families should also be advised to stay connected and engage in positive talks through phone and video-calls.

In view of the mutating virus and the possible serious conditions in some post-Covid patients we have made substantial changes to the remedies and the suggested dosage. The research team has taken into account the currently known symptoms listed above and also the guidance on homoeopathic remedies given by AYUSH, Ministry of Health, India.  

A. Immunity Booster (IB) for prophylaxis and treatment:

For those having 108CC box: CC3.2 Bleeding disorders + CC4.1 Digestion tonic + CC4.6 Diarrhoea + CC5.1 Ear infections + CC7.2 Partial Vision +  CC9.4 Children’s diseases + CC10.1 Emergencies + CC11.5 Mouth infections + CC12.2 Child tonic +  CC15.1 Mental & Emotional tonic + CC19.3 Chest infections chronic + CC19.5 Sinusitis + CC19.6 Cough chronic + CC19.7 Throat chronic + CC21.11 Wounds &  Abrasions

For those without 108CC box but having SRHVP: NM6 Calming + NM25 Shock + NM80 Gastro + BR4 Fear + SM18 Digestion + SM20 Eyes + SM26 Immunity + SM27 Infection + SM31 Lung & Chest + SM35 Sinus + SM39 Tension + SM40 Throat + SM268 Anacardium 30C + SR272 Arsen Alb 30C + SR278 Cactus 30C + SR279 Cadmium Sulph 30C + SR291 Gelsemium 30C + SR298 Lachesis 30C + SR301 Mercurius 30C + SR304 Oxygen 200C + SR318 Thuja 200C + SR383 Cuprem Met 30C + SR408 Secale Corn 6X + SR566 Fungi-Pathogenic.

Dosage: For prophylaxis: BD on waking and before sleep. Give OD on waking to those fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 or living in a country where there is no Covid.

For treatment: A dose every hour for 6 hours followed by 6TD, tapering down on improvement to QDS - TDS - BD - OD. Follow same dosage for those with post-Covid complication such as fungal infection or blood clots.

For those with Covid-19 symptoms but tested negative or test not taken: start at 6TD, then taper down as above. 

Warning: Any allopathic treatment should be continued and NOT discouraged at any time.

B. Recuperation: When a patient has recovered and tested negative but has little energy and feels tired in body and mind or develops a complication, give the following until the patient feels healthy and strong:

For those having 108CC box: CC3.1 Heart tonic + CC3.7 Circulation + CC4.1 Digestion tonic + CC11.3 Headaches + CC12.1 Adult tonic + CC15.1 Mental & Emotional tonic + CC19.3 Chest infections chronic + CC19.4 Asthma + CC19.6 Cough chronic + CC19.7 Throat chronic + CC20.1 SMJ tonic + CC21.11 Wounds & Abrasions

For those without 108CC box but having SRHVP: NM2 Blood + NM6 Calming + NM7 CB7 + BR3 Depression + SM18 Digestion + SM26 Immunity + SM31 Lung & Chest + SR269 Antim Tart 30C + SR272 Arsen Alb 30C + SR298 Lachesis 30C + SR318 Thuja 200C + SR351 Kali Carb 30C + SR389 Kali Bic 6X + SR408 Secale Corn 6X + SR566 Fungi-Pathogenic

Dosage: TDS, tapering down on improvement but continue IB at OD on waking with a gap of at least 20 minutes between the two.

C. To avoid side effects of vaccination:

For those having SRHVP: SR318 Thuja 30C.  

For those with only 108CC box: CC9.4 Children’s diseases

Dosage: OD at night, start two days before vaccination and for 10 days from day of vaccination, while taking IB at OD on waking during this period.

In case a patient develops side effects (symptoms being, extreme soreness in arm, tiredness, headache, aches & pains, nausea or vomiting), usually a day or two after vaccination, additionally take the Recuperation combo as given above.

D. For increasing the oxygen saturation level but continue all other treatments:

For those having SRHVP: SR304 Oxygen 200C in water

For those with only 108CC box: CC19.1 Chest tonic in water

Dosage: every ten minutes until oxygen level reaches 90, then every hour as long as needed.