COVID INFECTION DURING THE SECOND PANDEMIC WAVE: PHYSICIAN INSIGHTS AND LEARNINGS FROM A FAMILY CASE STUDY

The COVID pandemic has made a more rigorous comeback in 2021 with severely impactful second waves in many countries especially India. In contrast to the previous year, in the second wave the younger population and entire families have been affected at a given time. Medical management by the family physician involves not only individual treatment and monitoring, but also guiding the family as a whole on many related aspects. COVID family care is one of the cornerstones of the pandemic, and can present with unique challenges, differential symptomatology and clinical course, and multifaceted problems to the physician. Apart from treating the disease itself, the physician’s expanded role also involves advising the family on holistic health and well-being, isolation and household hygiene, available support services, along with stress management and psychological counseling. Sharing of insights and learnings from such situations can add value towards a more effective approach to COVID family care.