Covid-19 Drugs: are steroids being over prescribed & reducing immunity? | IndiaSpend | Black Fungus

What are steroids like dexamethasone, methylprednisolone? Are they helpful in treating Covid-19? What happens if a Covid patient is given an overdose of these steroids. IndiaSpend's Govindraj Ethiraj speaks to pulmonologists Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai and Dr Rajani Bhat- based in Bengaluru.

Dr. Bhat says only Covid patients who are severely ill require steroids. If it is used at an early stage it might have detrimental effects. While steroids are easily available over the counter in India, that is not the case in UK or the US where they are made available to patients who are hospitalised.

Dr. Pinto says "Minimalism really works in a disease like Covid19". Immunity of patients gets suppressed because of intake of high doses. Younger people are being given more steroids than older patients and are ending up in a worse state- says Dr Pinto.