Steroids useful only in moderate to severe illness when oxygen saturation falls: AIIMS Director

AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria on April 19 clarified that the steroids are of no use if it is given on day 1 to COVID patients, it is used only, when Oxygen saturation falls down.

"It is of no use if steroids are given on day 1.

They are useful only in moderate to severe illness when oxygen saturation is falling," the doctor said.

"In last 1 year of COVID management, we have learnt that 2 things are most important - drugs and timing of drugs.

If you give them too early/late, it would cause harm.

Giving cocktail of drugs on day 1 can kill your patient and would be more harmful," he added.

"Recovery trials showed that steroids will benefit but it's also important to know when they're given.

If given early before your saturation (O2) falls, it has harmful effect.

COVID patients who got steroids early had higher mortality than those who didn't," he further added.