Four COVID-19 patients develop hypertension over self-medication

As 10 Patients Risk Having Kidney Stones Over Excessive Intake Of Vitamin C
Four of the 210 Coronavirus patients in Bauchi State have developed hypertension as a result of self-medication, authorities have said.

Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), Dr. Rilwanu Muhammed, who is also the Chairman on contacts tracing, told The Guardian that the patients, who engaged in rigorous steaming of two to three hours, have had their blood pressure increased beyond normal.

“They used different types of herbs for this steaming, while spending about two or three hours under wrappers. As result, four of them developed hypertension. Some of them were told that Vitamin C and steaming are the main treatment for COVID-19. These people were not hypertensive before Coronavirus,” Rilwanu said.

He also informed that 10 of the patients might develop kidney stones, as result of excessive intake of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

He disclosed that 10 patients were taking triple doses daily, which he said might result in gall bladder stone or ulcer.

Rilwanu said 24 health workers in the state have so far tested positive for COVID-19, while on duty.

He called for proper education of the residents about the virus and the need to desist from stigmatisation of survivors. “The major problem we may have is this stigmatisation. Some of them can commit suicide because of the hatred from the public.”

Rilwanu also lamented some health workers’ attitude towards usage of personal protective equipment (PPEs), saying improper usage or non-usage has sent some of them to isolation centres. “If this is happening, who will take care of others,” he queried.