C Reactive Protein in Home Quarantined Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) Patients.

C Reactive Protein Based Early Intervention for Home Quarantined COVID -19 Patients to Avoid Complications and Hospitalization.

During the peak of the second COVID -19 wave, the hospitals were over-crowded. Many COVID -19 positive patients had to stay at home and reach out to their family physicians for guidance. Medical follow-up for these patients was a daunting challenge. As in - patient hospital facilities were not readily accessible due to over crowding, early objective tests to identify home quarantined patients prone to deterioration and timely medical intervention to avoid hospitalization were required.

Based on early assessment of inflammatory markers like CRP and clinical signs like persistent high-grade fever, need-based early medical intervention was initiated in home quarantined COVID -19 patients prior to the onset of hypoxia, in order to avoid complications and hospitalization

25 home quarantined COVID -19 patients who contacted online for medical guidance underwent clinical and biochemical evaluation. Radiological evaluation was done only if indicated.

Based on early objective biochemical tests like elevated CRP and clinical signs like persistent high-grade fever on the third or fourth day after onset of symptoms, early medical treatment was initiated prior to onset of hypoxia.

All the 25 patients recovered without any complications and did not require hospitalization.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. COVID -19 positive patients under home quarantine
2. Patients consulting online on the 3rd or 4th day after the onset of symptoms.
3. Patients with oxygen saturation 94% and above.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients consulting online on or after 5th day of onset of symptoms.
2. Patients with oxygen saturation less than 94% during the initial presentation.
3. Systemic disease known to increase CRP levels.