The AIIMS chief Randeep Guleria, on Monday, warned against rushing for CT scan in cases of mild cases of Covid-19, saying it has side effects and can end up doing more harm than good.
“One CT scan is equivalent to 300 to 400 chest x-rays. According to data, repeated CT scans in younger age groups increase the risk of cancer in later life. Exposing yourself to radiation again and again may cause damage. So, there is no point in doing CT scan in mild Covid-19 if the oxygen saturation is normal,” PTI quoted Guleria, as saying.
Even in mild illness and according to a study, even in asymptomatic cases, a CT scan may show patches which go away on their own without treatment, he said.
“And if there is a doubt, one should opt for a chest x-ray,” he said.
Falling oxygen saturation (below 93), excessive fatigue or chest pain are warning signs indicating that a patient in home isolation may need hospitalisation, he added.
Guleria further added that in moderate illnesses three types of treatment –oxygen therapy, steroids and anticoagulants –are effective and are the main treatment strategy.