Srinagar, Apr 29: Jammu and Kashmir’s renowned influenza expert and Head of the Department at Covid designated chest diseases Hospital, Srinagar, Dr Naveed Nazir Shah Wednesday said that “anti-virals” are the best treatment to the Covid while as there is no alternative to vaccines as it reduces severity among affected patients.

Dr Naveed said the antiviral drugs are advantageous as same are being administered to the people who contract virus.

“Anti-viral drugs coupled with oxygen helps the patents a lot. Antiviral drugs used in severe to moderate cases have shown that they could reduce the virus,” he said, adding that “All antiviral drugs are being administered to the people and there are good results so far.”

He said antiviral could help COVID-19 positive patients to recover quickly and go back to home.

“Antiviral drugs could reduce the virus but may not prevent mortality; one can be quickly discharged from the hospital with the help of antiviral as the same helps COVID-19 positive patients to recover quickly,” he added.

He said there is no alternative to vaccines as the same reduces severity among the patients who contract the virus. “Taking a jab will definitely help Covid positive patients to stay away from the ICUs,” Dr Naveed said. Pertinently, he is the frontline Covid warrior who spoke to Prime Minister Narendera Modi during Man Ki Baat Program on the subject of panic management. Prime Minister Modi hailed the valuable suggestions put forth by Dr Naveed on managing the present crisis without going into panic mode. kno