Attention! COVID-19 Recovered Patients Advised To Practice Yoga, Morning Walks & Eat Chyawanprash; Check Health Ministry's Post-COVID Follow Up Protocol

COVID-19 recovered patients may continue to report wide variety of signs and symptoms including fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat, etc. Check Post-COVID follow up protocol issued by Health Ministry.

Photo: PTI (Representative Image)

India's Covid 19 case tally crossed 47 lakh mark with a spike of 94,372 new cases and 1,114 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. With surge in the number of infected cases, the figures reported by Health Ministry also reveals that the recovery rate is also increasing on a positive note. As per the latest records, 37,02,596 COVID-19 infected patients have been cured and discharged from the hospitals.

However COVID-19 recovered patients may continue to report wide variety of signs and symptoms including fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, etc.

It is worth mentioning that COVID – 19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus is relatively a new disease with information not completely traced about the natural history of the disease. As of now there is limited evidence of post-COVID sequalae and further research is required and is being actively pursued.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has promoted a holistic approach required for follow up care and well-being of all post COVID recovering patients.

In a fresh advisory issued on Sunday, the ministry suggested a new set of ‘Post Covid-19 Management Protocol’ for patients who have recovered from the virus. In its advisory, the ministry recommended the COVID-19 Recovered Patients to practice yoga, morning or evening walks and eating chyawanprash with warm water or milk on daily basis.

Check Post-COVID Follow Up Protocol Issued By Health Ministry

At Individual Level

• Continue to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour such as use of mask, hand sanatisers, respiratory hygiene and physical distancing norms.
• Have adequate sleep and rest.
• Daily practice of Yogasana, Pranayama and Meditation, as much as health permits or as prescribed.
• Daily morning or evening walk at a comfortable pace as tolerated
• Breathing exercises as prescribed by treating physician
• Drink adequate amount of warm water
• Balanced nutritious diet, preferably easy to digest freshly cooked soft diet.
• Use of Chyawanprash in the morning (1 teaspoonful) with luke warm water/milk is highly recommended.
• Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol.
• Take regular medications as advised for COVID and also for managing comorbidities, if any.
• Do saline gargles and take steam inhalation in case of persistent dry cough / sore throat
• Self-health monitoring at home - temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, pulse oximetry etc. Look for warning signs like high grade fever, breathlessness, weakness or unexplained chest pain.

At the Community Level

• Recovered individuals should share their positive experiences with their friends and relatives for creating awareness, dispelling myths and stigma.
• Take support of community based self-help groups, civil society organizations, and qualified professionals for recovery and rehabilitation process.
• Seek psycho-social support from peers, community health workers, counsellor.

In Healthcare Facilities

• The first follow-up visit (physical/telephonic) should be within 7 days after discharge preferably at the hospital where he/she underwent treatment.
• Subsequent treatment may be with the nearest qualified allopathic, AYUSH practitioners or medical facility of other systems of medicine.
• Patients in home isolation should visit the nearest health facility if they complain of persisting symptoms.