A Clinical Review on Low Dose Short Wave Diathermy Therapy as a Physical Antibiotic on Covid-19 Pneumonia

Author(s): Suraj kumar, Gowrishankar Potturi, Rajkumar, Neha Dubey, Anjali Agarwal, Arushi Kumar

COVID-19 pandemic mostly affects respiratory system resulting in cough, sputum production, dyspnoea, hypoxemia as in pneumonia. Currently, 5 % of COVID-19 cases require admission to ICU due to respiratory distress. The global current treatment options mostly followed for ARDS due to COVID-19 pneumonia include high flow nasal canula (HFNC), non-invasive ventilation (NIV), mechanical ventilation with lower tidal volumes and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). There is high risk of aerosol dispersion during these techniques provoking the risk of cross infection, as most of the COVID-19 hospitals are not having negative pressure isolation rooms. There is also an acute shortage of mechanical ventilators globally. Short Wave Diathermy is a physical therapy antibiotic which has antimicrobial effects, possessing the capacity to reduce cyanosis, pain, dyspnoea, cardiac embarrassment and induces restful sleep. Short wave diathermy with acute precautionary measures could be beneficial in reducing the temperature, improving circulation, reducing respiratory rate, grunt and Pain.