Second wave has launched deadly attack on lungs

Second wave has launched deadly attack on lungs

Parth.Shastri@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:07.05.2021

Prakash Chandra, 59, did not have any symptoms of Covid-19 but got himself tested after his son tested positive. His report came positive. When his doctor insisted for a CT scan after his blood tests revealed high sugar levels and inflammatory markers, it was found that 50% of his lung was involved. His oxygen saturation too had dipped to 85. All this on Day-1! He is now admitted in the hospital with his son whose scan has revealed nearly 60% damage to his lungs by the virus.

Even as the debate on importance of HRCT rages on after the statement of AIIMS-D director Dr Randeep Guleria that HRCT did not serve any purpose in mild and home isolated Covid-19 patients, city-based radiologists are busy with high number of infected and suspected patients lining up for high-resolution CT (HRCT) of thorax (chest and lungs) to understand lung involvement and severity of the infection. Doctors say CT score of lungs is helping save many lives especially in the current wave when the strain seems to be attacking lungs more ferociously than ever.“Current strain seems to attack lungs more furiously. More young patients are found to have moderate to severe lung disease compared to earlier waves,” said senior radiologist Dr Hemant Patel.