Many people noticed that COVID-19 behaved very differently in the second wave compared to the first. In this video, Dr. Dipak Viradia, Chest Physician & Intensivist, explains the key differences between the cases seen in the first wave of 2020 and the second wave of 2021, and what they taught us.

The second wave, driven largely by the Delta variant, spread much faster than the first. Where earlier one person in a family might get infected, in the second wave entire families often fell ill together. Younger people were also affected in larger numbers, and many patients without any previous illness developed serious disease. The symptoms became more varied too: along with fever, cough and loss of taste or smell, many patients had diarrhoea, body ache, red eyes and extreme weakness.

Most importantly, patients in the second wave deteriorated more quickly. Oxygen levels often dropped suddenly, sometimes without the patient feeling very breathless, a condition known as silent hypoxia. This led to a much higher need for oxygen, ICU beds and ventilator support, and complications such as mucormycosis (black fungus) were seen more often after recovery.

The biggest lesson from both waves is that early detection saves lives. Testing at the first symptoms, regular oxygen monitoring at home, timely consultation and avoiding self-medication, especially unnecessary steroids, make a major difference to the outcome.

Dr. Dipak Viradia
Chest Physician & Intensivist | Interventional Pulmonologist & ECMO Specialist
Rudrax Chest Clinic, 301, Solaris Royce, Opp. Old RTO, Athwagate, Ring Road, Surat – 395001
Appointment: +91 75676 19985
Website: www.drdipakviradia.com