Rajkot/Vadodara: As the novel coronavirus throws up new symptoms, doctors in Rajkot have observed a sharp spike in young Covid-19 patients (less than 40 years) developing pneumonia.
Pulmonologists whom TOI spoke to said this is a worrisome trend and in the last one week around 25% such patients have been affected by this lung infection.
Dr. Milan Bhanderi, a pulmonologist said, “Earlier, Covid symptoms were not very severe in young patients but I am shocked to see many below 40 years contracting pneumonia after testing positive. In many cases, these patients were asymptomatic for the first few days after infection, but later hospitalization becomes a must due to breathing problems.
According to doctors, this is making their prediction of severeity difficult and they have to rely only on blood reports to take the calls of further treatment. If doctors wait for improvement in patient’s condition after his/her blood report is normal, the condition can suddenly deteriorate but because of non-synchronization of CRP and D-dimer with the lung’s condition.
Earlier, the CRP and D-dimer levels used to change with changes in lungs condition, but this time these parameters are not spiking.
Dr. Jayesh Dobariya, a critical care specialist, added “We are seeing more severity among young patients in the current wave. Covid is affecting both the lungs and patients are suffering from extreme weakness due to less oxygen.”