The Union health ministry has advised COVID patients to go for tests for tuberculosis and other conditions if cough persists for more than two-three weeks. The revised ‘Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult COVID-19 Patients’ issued by AIIMS, ICMR-COVID-19 National Task Force and Joint Monitoring Group under the health ministry has underlined there is no evidence of injectable steroids benefitting COVID patients not requiring oxygen supplementation or in continuation after discharge.

Steroids can have the risk of secondary infection like invasive mucormycosis, when used too early, at higher dose or for longer than required, they highlighted. If cough persists for more than two-three weeks, one should opt for investigation for tuberculosis and other conditions, the revised guidelines stated.