Hyderabad: In what is described as a "rarest of rare case" by doctors, a 59-year-old patient who had tested positive for COVID-19 and H1N1 and was also suffering from high risk co-morbidities has recovered.
A team of experts at Continental Hospital, one of the leading healthcare providers here, claimed to have saved the life of the man who had high-risk co-morbidities like kidney dysfunction and coronary artery disease.
The patient a diabetic, suffering from hypertension and coronary artery disease with a history of Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and hypothyroidism, had tested positive for both COVID-19 and H1N1 (swine flu) viruses.
The patient surviving in such a complex situation of being attacked by two variants of deadly viruses is a rarest of rare occurrence. Anecdotal pieces of evidence from around the world indicate that survival of patients with such complex health ailments is very unusual, said the doctors.
Before being brought to Continental Hospital, the patient suffered from fever with chills and rigors for 10 days for which he was treated at another hospital with antibiotics. Though initial tests showed positive for H1N1 and negative for COVID-19 virus, a repeat test conducted showed the patient was positive for Coronavirus too.
"Not just being tested for two deadly viruses, the patient was on the verge of developing multi-organ damage syndrome, with complications associated with his kidneys, bleeding rectum etc. In intensive care unit, the patient was put through inverse ratio ventilation to ensure we don't lose the patient," said Dr N. Nalini, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist.
"Many such complex procedures were performed over a prolonged period before he could be stabilised. It took three weeks to bring the patient out of immediate danger and post that he was put through a series of treatment protocols to ensure his condition improves. And on day 43 from the time of admission to the hospital, after the patient tested negative for COVID-19 and H1N1 viruses, he was discharged. However, the patient is being remotely monitored to ensure no relapse occurs in the future," said Dr Palepu Gopal, Chief of Critical Care and Senior Consultant Intensivist.
"This is a classic case of our belief i.e. exceptional clinical outcomes can only be achieved through collaborative clinical practice, teamwork and quest for clinical excellence," said Dr Rahul Medakkar, ACEO, Continental Hospitals.
IANS
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