Interview: Immunity compromised by Covid 19, people coming back to hospitals, Dr Khan

Hyderabad: Recurrent viral infections in the last three years are taking a toll on people’s health leading to low-immunity levels. People in the last three years of the pandemic have got infected with Covid 19 multiple times and also with influenza viruses.

These recurrent infections are taking a toll on their immunity and leading to compromised functioning of organs, explains Government Chest Hospital superintendent, Dr. P Mahaboob Khan.

In an interview with NewsMeter, Dr. Khan discussed in detail the infection, symptoms, and precautions: Excerpts:

Q1. How are recurrent Covid 19 infections and influenza viruses affecting the human body?

Ans 1. Immunity is a vast term. When we use immunity we have to co-relate it with the age of the person, co-morbidities of the individual, and the impact of the virus on their body.

- Those who have co-morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer or are on steroid treatment are already low on immunity, and this section of the recurrent infections lead to further lowering of immunity.

- Those who are suffering from cancer, and liver and kidney problems are also in the same bracket.

When the virus affects these categories multiple times, it is now clinically seen that their immunity is decreasing.

These sections must follow the protocols of masks regularly when they go out in crowded places.

Q2. People have suffered from asymptomatic Covid 19 too, what is the impact noted on their health?

Ans 2. There is a large section of people who were asymptomatic during all three waves of Covid 19. They had no symptoms at all. But this does not mean that they were not infected. It must be noted that cough, cold, fever, and flu-like symptoms were commonly noted during winter. Post-pandemic there is a rise in these infections in summer and that is because they are showing symptoms now.

It must be noted that outpatient departments of hospitals are witnessing a rise in patients suffering from flu during the summer. This is being witnessed for the last three years. Summer usually is a safe period.

Q3. What about the category of people who suffered from Covid 19 multiple times, recovered at home, and also suffered from influenza, how is their immunity status?

Ans 3. This category of people are coming back to hospitals but their recovery time has increased. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients also fall in this category. Earlier if they recovered within a week, now they are taking three to four weeks to recover. The hospitalization time has increased and for those being treated at home too, it is a prolonged treatment.

Q4. What is the impact on those who were hospitalized and on ventilator support due to Covid 19?

Ans 4. This section of people have recovered from Covid 19 but there is compromised functioning of organs being noted in them. This is because the virus has affected all parts of the human body. For this reason, we are seeing the early onset of diseases in a section of the population, auto-immune diseases are being noted and those with a family history of heart problems are reporting with same issues though at early stages. There are also external factors like lifestyle, food, lack of exercise, and unhealthy habits but the virus has also played its role in the damage to the human body.

In clinical practice we have noted:

· Those who recovered from 5 mg medicines now have to be put on 10 mg medicines

· Those who walked and were healthy are now complaining of fatigue

· There are a lot of sleep problems that people are facing and that are also impacting their overall health. Sleep problems are both medical and social. It is also due to the changes that society has undergone during the pandemic

It must be noted that every mutant of Covid 19 virus may not be severe but it has its impact. Hence Omicron variant was not severe in disease but has left a lasting impact as it affected everyone.

There is herd immunity created, but there is also the need to enhance our immunity.

Q5. You have used the term enhance immunity – does this mean that there is damage that will take a decade to recover?

Ans 5. On average, every human body has suffered and clinical representations post-Covid 19 show that there is a decade lost. This means that the immunity before 2020 which was stronger has been compromised post Covid 19 and its recurrent waves of infections.

To get back or maintain good immunity:

· Check your weight as that is the biggest concern in present times

· Eat a balanced and healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and quality protein

· Exercise but must be according to your capacity. Do not overstress in exercising

· Sleep well as that is a major yardstick for good health

Q6. What stage of the pandemic are we in now?

Ans 6. The pandemic has now become an epidemic which means some countries will see a rise in infections. We are now in the end stage of the epidemic. In due course, Covid 19 may become endemic which means some parts of the countries will have Covid 19 infections.

This is because the virus is now a part of our atmosphere. The present sub-lineage XBB.1.16 shows that the transmission rate is high and for protection, we must follow the protocols. At the same time, we have protection from the virus in the form of herd immunity and vaccines.

Masks, hand washing, cough hygiene, and refraining from crowded places are our protection against infection. This will help us control the spread of the virus.