Don’t contemplate steam inhalation to be a medical therapy for Covid, says Tamil Nadu Health Minister

A day after folks raised security considerations over cell steam inhalation automobiles and stations, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Monday mentioned the state authorities has laid down a therapy protocol for Covid-19 as per the rules of the World Health Organisation and folks mustn’t resort to self-medication because it may pose an incredible danger to life.
“The practice of inhaling steam is spreading among the public. It has been shared on social media that such practices will prevent Covid-19. The hot pressurised air could affect the lungs and when people inhale with their mouths open, the chances of the virus spreading to the next person is very high.  Also, steam inhalation cannot be considered to be medical treatment. Infected persons should reach the hospital and get medical help rather than indulging in self-medication,” he mentioned.
Further, Subramanian mentioned to incorporate different techniques of drugs, the federal government has arrange Siddha Covid care centres to supply particular therapy primarily based on the steerage supplied by the committee fashioned by the state authorities.
On Saturday, BJP Mahila Morcha President and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan inaugurated a cell steam inhalation automobile. Tweeting a video of the occasion, Vanathi wrote that front-line staff have been the primary beneficiaries.

Steam Inhalation Station and Mobile Steam Inhalation Vehicle inaugurated in Coimbatore at this time. Frontline staff of Coimbatore Corporation have been the primary beneficiaries at this time. @JPNadda @blsanthosh pic.twitter.com/h1DkSTmodR
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) May 15, 2021
At MGR Central Railway Station, the Tamil Nadu Railway police put in a steam inhalation unit and passengers actively participated within the occasion. Similar movies of such mass steaming occasions have been circulated on social media.

சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் ரயில் நிலையத்தில் ரயில் பயணிகள் நீராவி பிடிக்க ஏற்பாடு
தமிழ்நாடு ரயில்வே போலீசார் இந்த முயற்சியை துவங்கி உள்ளனர்
ரயில்வே துறைக்கும் இதற்கும் சம்மந்தம் இல்லை#CoronaSecondWave @PiyushGoyal @GMSRailway @Central_Railway pic.twitter.com/B3ALuvxOs5
— Velmurugan Paranjothy/ ப.வேல்முருகன் (@Vel_Vedha) May 16, 2021

Speaking to indianexpress.com, Dr.Prasanna Kumar Thomas, a pulmonary specialist, mentioned steam inhalation is completely unscientific. “Covid-19 doesn’t cause sinusitis. It doesn’t even cause too much nasal discharge and the infection hits the throat and goes downwards.  If you keep inhaling with the same machine again and again, you are going to transmit this virus, no matter how many times you sanitize it. This is totally unscientific. I don’t know where people got this idea from. If you want to inhale, please do so within the confines of your home. People should understand that steam inhalation does not cure Covid-19 and it is dangerous because can also transmit the virus,” he mentioned.