When people were hoping to develop herd immunity after enough people would have recovered from COVID-19 or got vaccinated against it, the head of the UK’s Oxford Vaccine Group has warned that it may never be possible.
The leader of Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine developer team, Professor Andrew Pollard, has claimed that nothing can eliminate the possibility of even more transmissible variants of Coronavirus. Therefore, we would never be able to put a full stop to the spread of the virus.
He, however, has also mentioned that there is nothing to “panic” while expressing his doubts over the third booster dose suggested by the government of the United Kingdom.
He clarified that the Delta variant is not in any way similar to measles, which could not spread in a community where 95 percent of the population has already been inoculated.
More points he highlighted are –
Professor Pollard’s views were supported by Paul Hunter who is also a professor at the University of East Anglia. Prof. Hunter is a very credible expert in infectious diseases. He was the same professor who first mentioned that the current vaccines are surely giving protection against severe COVID-19 infection and death but they cannot eliminate the possibility of infection entirely.
Describing herd immunity as “unachievable”, he said that that infection will keep spreading among the unvaccinated populations and also added that the latest data suggests that the two doses of the vaccines are only providing 50 percent of protection against infection.
Some experts believe that Professor Pollard’s doubts over the third dose are not relevant and the plan of UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid to administer the third booster shot along with a flu vaccine to those who are at a higher risk of getting infected is a smart choice. This has been proposed to be brought into action from September onwards.
Professor Pollard suggests that we may consider administering the third dose to vulnerable people if we see more hospitalisations or deaths among the vaccinated people.
While accepting that the level of immunity does drop after a certain period of time, he pointed out that our immune system still remembers the body getting vaccinated and this memory lasts for decades.
Hence, there is nothing to panic about at the moment. Raising another very important point, Professor Pollard said that these doses should be transported to those places of the world where people have not been vaccinated and where these can actually create a greater impact.
Fresh cases recorded on Monday – 32,937
Total deaths recorded on Monday – 417
No of doses administered – Over 55 crore
COVID hotspot in India – Karnataka, accounting for more than 50 percent of the total cases
Although we do not have the right resources as of yet to stop the spread of COVID-19, we surely do not need to panic and just have to adhere to the protocols established by your local authorities. We can only stop the spread and protect our loved ones if we abide by the rules. As suggested by the experts, the situation is going to get better with time.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The whole world has somewhat understood that COVID-19 is not going to go anytime soon and that they have to find ways to live with it. People seem to be making peace with every problem the virus has caused, except one – the mutation of SARS-CoV-2.
From the virulent strain first found in Kent, Uk, to its much virulent mutated strain found in India, the various strains of the virus have wreaked havoc across the world. Currently, the world is grappling with the strain found in India, more popularly known as the Delta variant.
The confusion over the new strains is really obvious because even the experts have claimed that the current mutations may not be the most dangerous yet and that the battle is not over as of now. They have also suggested that the world might see more strains of the virus which would wreak more damage to the world.
Some experts have also suggested the world leaders, prepare plans to combat the new strains of Coronavirus that are emerging in different parts of the world constantly.
The most burning questions the world is facing right now are how much protection do the current vaccines offer, what makes these variants prop up, can vaccines fully protect us and how can we protect ourselves?
We have tried to cover all the questions here to solve your dilemmas. Have a look:
As per scientific research, a virus mutates or comes up with a new variant, whenever there is any kind of change in the genetic code of the current virus strain.
Coronavirus isn’t doing anything new as many viruses and pathogens tend to mutate on their own. However, there are some viruses like COVID-19, variants of which may be genetically distinct and cause very serious complications.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) viruses like SARC-CoV-2 are more prone to mutate than other viruses.
For instance, B.1.351 and B.1.1.7 variants were first found in the UK back in September 2020. These were two of the initial strains of coronavirus which even today are the most predominant form of the deadly virus in several countries, including India.
With every mutation, the virus sees some particular genetic changes which can potentially make the virus even more contagious and severe. For instance, the B.1.1.7 variant was found more contagious than others while the double mutant variant has been known for showing extremely severe complications. There are some variants of COVID-19 which affect the patient’s body in such a way that it starts showing different symptoms altogether.
The main reason for worry over the emergence of a particular strain of the virus is its ability to spread faster and the kind of attack it launches on the body of the infected. Notably, it is believed that virulent viruses are smarter than others as they have the ability to dodge some of the natural antibodies and cause severe damage to the patient’s body.
Interestingly, we must understand that not all the virus variants are as dangerous or cause severe damage as we have been discussing. The strains which are genetically traced or found to be variants of concern (VOCs) are believed to be more severe.
A big reason of concern for people has been the efficacy of currently available COVID-19 vaccines against the newly emerging virus strains, as they have the ability to surpass antibodies easily, making the vaccines rather ineffective.
Well, this is not entirely true. The new variants of SARC-CoV-2 may be smarter and severe than the previous ones but the vaccines we are taking may not become completely futile. A few lab-based studies have proven that the immune response triggered due to the vaccines consists of several components and even when they reduce, the vaccine response is not supposed to die entirely.
We surely are at a risk of facing future variants and mutations of the virus. Still, getting vaccinated and following the social distancing protocols set by the local authorities is the best we can do to protect ourselves. Hence everyone should get inoculated at the earliest.
Some studies have proven that a fully vaccinated person is at low risk of suffering from severe complications and dying. In some cases, the vaccinated person has recovered quicker than others. Moreover, to tackle the upcoming strains of the virus, some booster shots may be introduced in future.
Many scientists are suggesting, instead of fearing the upcoming strains of the COVID-19, we should prepare a plan of action to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe. Getting vaccinated is the best we can do right now to save the world. The new strains will keep coming, at least for the foreseeable future. Hence, we should not let our guard down against this war against the deadly virus.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Monsoon, without a doubt, brings a lot of joy to the people suffering from the scorching heat of the summer but for a few people, who either are very serious about exercising or need to do some physical activity to stay healthy, do not find it very convenient.
The pleasant rainy weather not only prompts us to binge on ‘pakoras’ and ‘tea’ but also makes us too lazy to head to the gym. As going for a jog has also gone out of the window, keeping oneself physically active becomes a tricky business.
Well, it is not as tough as you think if you know the right options to exercise and burn enough calories without stepping out a single time throughout the day.
Below, we have suggested some of the ideas you can consider at your convenience to stay active during this rainy season. Have a look:
Jogging is one of the most meaningful and efficient exercises one can do. Well, it is not mandatory to step outside if you want to jog. As per the fitness experts, spot jogging is a perfect pre-workout exercise, as it warms up the body to carry out the rest of the regime without posing any threat to your muscles.
You just have to lift your knees and move them back to the ground. You should also move your hands in the same manner you do while running outside. It looks like you are running but at the same spot.
If you do this exercise for 30 minutes, you will burn about 215 calories.
Jumping Jacks includes hopping your feet out shoulder-width apart while you bring your arms above your head, then hopping your feet back together while you lower your arms to your sides. It is a full-body workout that targets the upper, lower, and core muscles.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Skipping is an ideal cardio exercise that you can consider for improving cardio-respiratory fitness, flexibility and coordination. As per the experts, skipping is one of the most effective high-impact exercises that helps the performer strengthen their bones. Moreover, it also helps in reducing weight from your thighs, hips and sides.
To do this exercise, you need a rope, rotate it in a circular motion and jump when it touches the ground. The smaller the jump the better it is for your knees and ankles. Jumping about an inch from the ground is considered ideal.
If you do this exercise for an hour, you will burn about 560 calories.
Strength training is also possible in the comfort of your home. You just have to purchase some dumbbells. The weight of the dumbbells should be the same or marginally higher than what you have already been lifting at the gym. You can also consider filling up some water bottles and doing strength training with them.
Every hour of such strength training done correctly may help you lose about 200 calories.
Start with what you can do whether it’s walking, riding a bike, or aerobic exercises, Don’t think you have to run a marathon or be an elite athlete, start it and just keep going no matter what.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
To do this exercise, you need to get into a pushup position, bend your arms and move down towards the floor. Now, you have to hold the same position with extended arms. Initially, you just have to hold the position for about 30 seconds. This exercise may seem very easy to pull, but is a challenging one and helps in toning your core muscles like abs, stabiliser muscles and back.
Doing it for an hour helps you lose about 350 calories.
As we all know, yoga is a spiritual form of exercising that helps you connect your body, spirit and mind. Apart from giving you a better understanding of your body, it improves your flexibility and provides peace of mind.
What makes it more convincing is that you can do it regularly without having to leave your home. As per the experts, trying out meditation, pranayama and Surya Namaskar are some of the best forms of yoga to keep yourself fit and healthy.
Monsoon may come with a few drawbacks for the fitness junkies but as we have mentioned above, there are plenty of ways you can keep yourself in the best shape and health even during this period with some home exercises. If you are a diabetes patient, it is advised to consult with your doctor before you make any alterations in your regime of physical activity.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The COVID-19 pandemic finally saw a silver lining amongst the dark clouds when vaccines were rolled out to the public after extensive research. India welcomed vaccines which proved their efficacy in other nations. India’s vaccination drive got a boost with the introduction of the Sputnik V and Novavax vaccines. COVID-19 vaccination in India got a further boost when Cipla announced that they will start manufacturing the Moderna Vaccine in India.
The Moderna vaccine has been developed in Massachusetts in the U.S.A. The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) gave the go-ahead to Cipla, a Mumbai-based drug manufacturing company to start the production of these vaccines. As per the World Health Organisation, the Moderna vaccine has an efficacy percentage of around 94.1% against the COVID-19. The vaccine offers strong COVID-19 immunity and the vaccine is scheduled to be produced under the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA).
A person allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG) should not get vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine. It should only be administered by intramuscular injection and in a person with a bleeding disorder using a 23 or 25-gauge needle and applying firm pressure on the injection site for 2 minutes is recommended.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
The vaccine has been highly effective in the U.S.A. in providing COVID-19 immunity. The vaccine can be officially rolled out to the Indian public after it completes a 7-day safety assessment, which is to be tried out on 100 beneficiaries. The vaccine is safe to be taken by most adults and no severe side effects have been noted when the vaccine was taken by people. It has been noticed that the body starts developing immunity to COVID-19 around 14 days after the vaccine is administered. The vaccine has a shelf life of almost 7 months and is effective for 30 days if opened.
The Moderna vaccine is proven to be effective against strains of COVID-19 like the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) and the Beta variant (501Y.V2). Parent company Moderna Inc. is still testing the vaccine’s efficacy against the new Delta strain of COVID-19. Results are looking positive regarding the efficiency of the vaccine in offering immunity against the new strain.
Like most vaccines, the Moderna vaccine in India is planned to be administered in two doses of 0.5 ml each. The tentative duration between the two doses is set at 24 days, however, it might be extended up to 42 days depending on the production capacity and the number of vaccines getting rolled out.
Moderna’s COVID-19 shot, mRNA-1273, has been found to be the most efficacious of all. While the company wrapped up trials in, it has found that the vaccine has an efficacy rate of over 91%, with immunity peaking after administering two doses.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Cipla vaccine trials in India are slated to be completed at the earliest. When effective trials on 100 beneficiaries are completed the vaccines will be made available to the public. It is expected to be rolled out to the public in the middle or end of July when finer aspects of the trials are completed and it is deemed okay to be used.
The vaccine needs to be stored under negative 20 ° Celsius, which has made production difficult due to the storage requirements. The vaccine is expected to be rolled out in the private sector first as the storage requirements make the cost of the vaccine higher than some of its counterparts.
The third wave of COVID-19 is still expected to hit India even though vaccination drives are ongoing. The introduction of the Moderna vaccine in India can be a boost to fight the Delta strain and if it gets approved by the USFDA for emergency usage in India, the vaccines will start to be administered without further trials on home soil. WHO has been supporting the results which indicate that the Moderna vaccine is showing efficiency in providing immunity against the delta strain. To counter the third wave and the rise in Delta variants, India might also start importing the Moderna vaccine to increase the vaccinations.
Even though vaccinations in India are ongoing the percentage of vaccinated people still stands at only 6% of the total population. Vaccinating such a large population is difficult and the introduction of new vaccines in India like the Moderna vaccine is a huge boost.
The population needs to be more wary about getting vaccinated and staying safe by following all the guidelines issued by the government. New vaccines bring hope that the world will get back to normal and overcome COVID-19.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
As the second wave of COVID-19 shook the roots of Indian healthcare machinery, some researchers used this disastrous time as an opportunity to prepare a self-testing kit for common people, which they can use to know if they are infected with SARS-CoV-2 or not within the safety and comfort of home in a very short time. The quick results given by CoviSelf will help you seek proper treatment at the earliest, thereby reducing the risk of developing severe illness due to delay in diagnosis and the initiation of treatment.
The self-testing kits, which can potentially release a huge burden off the healthcare system, have now also received a green signal from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The self-test kit, approved by ICMR, has been developed by a Pune-based molecular company named MyLab Discovery Solutions. The name of the kit is CoviSelf.
It uses a rapid antigen test. In it, the patient just has to take the nasal swab sample, and it will give the result within 15 minutes. It only takes about 2 minutes to carry out the test.
This test kit costs only Rs 250. The manufacturing company currently has a production capacity of 70 lakh kits per week, and they are expecting to expand it to one crore kits per week in the next 14 days. The kit will not only be sold at the local medical stores but also at the e-pharmacies in India.
Aiming to fight against the upcoming waves of COVID-19 with more efficiency, MyLab has also prepared an AI-powered smartphone app to update users about their positive status. They can also submit their report directly to the ICMR for traceability purposes. The app will also tell them what to do next in case of either result.
ICMR recommends taking this test only if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have come in contact with a COVID positive patient. If found positive, the patient will not require an RT-PCR test for confirmation, and all the government-specified protocols will be followed for isolation and high-risk contact tracing.
If your result comes out positive, your report will be automatically submitted on the ICMR portal, as the test is in sync with MyLab’s mobile app CoviSelf. ICMR, however, recommends not to take this test in public places.
Moreover, if a person has tested negative but still has symptoms, he/she is recommended to take an RT-PCR test.
The self-test kit includes the following:
To begin, the user has to download the CoviSelf app on their smartphone and enter all their details. This data will be saved on a secured server that is directly connected with the ICMR portal, making your test reports available to the government.
All the self test kits are rapid antigen detection kits which have high false negative rates. The definitive diagnosis should always be made by RTPCR.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Covid self tests would be helpful ideally 5 days after an exposure to covid virus. If you are negative for the first time you may repeat the test after 48 hours for a total of 3 times.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
You will get the result within 15 minutes of taking the test. In case the result is positive, two lines will appear on the testing card. One line will be on marker “t” for the testing line, and “c” for the quality control line. If the result is negative, there will be only one line at marker “c”.
If the result takes more than 20 minutes to appear or if you can not see any line on marker “c”, then the test is considered invalid.
Many states in India are currently struggling to get through the second wave of COVID-19, and all of them are preparing to combat the possible third wave, which is expected to affect kids the most.
The exponential spread of COVID-19 not only puts a lot of pressure on the hospitals and treatment centres but also creates a huge burden on diagnostic labs.
The RT-PCR test is considered to be the sure-shot way of diagnosing COVID-19, and with a huge number of cases coming daily, the laboratories were finding it difficult to deliver test results even in 3-4 days. This was causing a delay in the hospitalisation of the patients.
With the introduction of these self-test kits, the COVID-19 management in India can see a huge improvement. It will release a lot of pressure from the limited manpower that has been responsible for collecting the samples, executing the tests and delivering the result.
Using these kits, people can check their status within just 15 minutes, enabling them to get the required treatment in time.
The United States was the first country to approve the use of such self-test kits back in November 2020. California-based Lucira Health had produced this all-in-one rapid result test kit and was approved for emergency use in the US. Europe and South Korea have also approved similar kits already.
There are certain shortcomings of these self-test kits as well. The biggest of them all is reliability. There are chances of improper sample collection or contamination of swab sticks.
There are high chances of rapid antigen tests showing false-negative results. In that case, a COVID-positive asymptomatic person may turn out to be a super spreader of the virus without even being traced.
On one hand, where the self-test kits can help in easing the pressure on diagnostic labs and hospitals, on the other, over-dependence on this particular method can lead to an even worse situation. Hence, it should only be recommended and used by those who can carry out the guidelines perfectly and interpret the result accurately.
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
Are you also one of those people who are worried over the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines forcing you to wait for the second dose? Are you also wondering if you may need to restart your vaccine schedule because it has already been months since your first dose?
Well, you do not need to panic yet as the studies and experts suggest that the booster (second) dose works just fine even if you take it after a gap of 4-5 months from the date of your first jab.
When you take the first dose of any COVID-19 vaccine, it triggers an immune response, which stays active even if you delay your booster dose. It, however, doesn’t work at the optimum level and that’s why you need the second dose.
The booster dose basically enhances and increases the immune response of the first dose-response.
Once the first dose of vaccine is taken, our body starts reacting and produces antibodies specific to the vaccine. The amount of time required by the body to produce an immune response may take time, but it triggers the memory cells of the immune system. When the second dose is given the immune response against the vaccine will be much faster and more effective than the first dose. Thus, a delay in the second dose will not harm and does not wear off.
Did you know?
Amid the rising demand and insufficient supply of vaccines, the government has increased the duration between two Covishield doses from 4 to 12 weeks. The decision has been taken after analyzing the data from the international trials, in which the researchers observed the immune response of the vaccinated people from the first dose till the booster jab.
The experts also observed that in some cases where the second dose was administered as late as 12 weeks, the antibodies and immune response from the vaccine were equivalent and comparable.
Some experts believe that from an immunology perspective, researchers always specify a ‘minimum’ interval, not ‘maximum’ between the doses. They believe that any vaccine works better if the gap between the first and the booster dose is slightly longer in most cases.
In the case of Covaxin, the minimum gap of 4-6 weeks remains unchanged. In case the vaccine is not available, it can be delayed but has been mentioned for 28 days but everyone must get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine even if it is delayed.
Some experts also recommend that people should not think about taking the first dose again if the booster jab has been delayed. Even in children’s vaccination, the norm is to pick up from where the one left off.
Moreover, even children are not recommended a repeat dose of the same vaccine even if they have a weaker immune response. Hence, it should not be done for the COVID vaccination too.
Another expert has claimed that the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, even if delayed, is effective in preventing the infection.
There have been cases where people contracted covid within a few days or weeks of getting their first dose of COVID vaccination. In case a person contracts the infection very close to getting their second COVID-19 dose, here’s what you should do. Remember that the infection helps the body build certain protective antibodies naturally, but we don’t know for sure how long these antibodies last and hence it is advisable to get the second dose of the vaccine after recovering.
You must postpone your vaccination by at least 6 weeks after a mild covid infection. Those with a severe form of illness should consider getting a go-ahead from the doctor first. Make sure you recover well but do not miss the vaccine dose as it will add to your immunity and serve additional purposes.
In the United Kingdom, the recommended gap between the two shots of Covishield is 12 weeks, while Canada has kept it to 16 weeks. A study by Public Health England has proved that the first jab of Covishield is 65 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19 and 80% against a severe form of the disease.
Some experts even recommend that even if a person gets infected after getting the first dose of the vaccine and takes 6-10 weeks to recover, he/she must take the second jab after 3 months of being completely recovered from the illness.
First of all, you should not worry at all about the revision of the vaccination schedule. The decision has been taken after a thorough analysis of every aspect of the efficacy of the doses. Still, if you are unable to get the vaccine at a government-designated centre, you can always look for a private vaccination centre in your locality and get the vaccine.
The shortage of vaccines may have sparked a wave of fear among the people who have got their first shot of the vaccine, but there isn’t anything to worry about as of now. There would be no need to restart the vaccine schedule even if you have completed 12 weeks from your first dose. Everyone should just focus on getting their second dose as per the government-specified schedule.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Just when we thought the worst part of the pandemic was over, the second coronavirus wave hit us. Every day lakhs of COVID cases in India are being reported. The new COVID-19 strains that have triggered the second wave are very infectious and one infected person can spread the disease to many other individuals.
So, what should be your course of action if you think you are displaying signs of COVID?
The usual symptoms of coronavirus include fever and sore throat, cough, weakness, loss of smell, taste. You may be surprised to know that the new COVID-19 strain triggers certain new symptoms in addition to the usual ones. Be mindful regarding-
Sometimes these symptoms may not show up all together and you may experience just one of these symptoms. If so, immediately isolate yourself in a separate well-ventilated room. Contact your doctor immediately. Book an RT-PCR test. The RT-PCR test is recommended for anyone who thinks he/she may have contracted COVID-19. This is a swab test and mucous is collected from your nasal passage or your throat with a cotton bud. The results are usually available between 48-72 hours. If you are unable to book the RT-PCR test, you can opt for the Rapid Antigen test. If your Rapid antigen test is positive, then no need to do the RT-PCR as it implies the presence of COVID.
If you witness any of the symptoms of COVID, don’t self-diagnose. Since the new strains of COVID are accompanied by new symptoms, it is very difficult to zero in on the real cause of the symptoms. Without any delay have a word with your doctor who may recommend an RT-PCR test.
If you are unable to book a slot for the RT-PCR, you may opt for the rapid antigen test. Irrespective of whether the report is positive or negative, inform your doctor who will then suggest the next course of action.
A positive RT-PCR result means you have COVID-19. There’s no need to be anxious. There are ways to deal with a COVID infection. The majority of COVID cases are mild and are treated at home.
First things first, you need to visit or contact your doctor. Ensure you are wearing a mask. Your doctor will analyse your condition based on your age, fitness level, comorbidities, other diagnosed illnesses, oxygen saturation level or whether you are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Young people with no comorbidities, no breathing issues and normal blood oxygen saturation levels shall be advised of treatment at home. Here’s what you need to do –
If you got tested because you showed COVID-19 symptoms and the test was negative, speak with your doctor. You might need to undergo another test. Improper administration of the test can produce a false-negative result.
Another reason why you might have to get tested again is that sometimes if you opt for the test very soon after exposure, the result can be negative. The symptoms and the virus become detectable 6-14 days after exposure.
However, your doctor might say that your symptoms are triggered by a common cold or the flu, in which case, you needn’t undergo the COVID-19 test again.
No, only COVID-19 patients with moderate or severe infection require High-Resolution Computed Tomography of the chest. This detects if the person’s infection has progressed to pneumonia.
Health checkup is a very crucial part of our life. So, don’t miss out on it.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
As India is grappling with the Coronavirus pandemic, people are running from pillar to post to arrange hospitals, ICU beds, life-saving medications, ventilators and most importantly ‘oxygen’, to save their loved ones.
Arranging these basic necessities is so tough today because the availability of all these things is way less than what the country requires to win this battle.
In these testing times, Oxygen Concentrators have turned out to be a ‘saviour’ for the people who are mildly affected with COVID-19 and are trying to recover in home isolation, owing to the shortage of hospital beds.
An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that is generally bigger than a computer monitor. It works by concentrating oxygen from the ambient air and aiding the patient in breathing easily.
In today’s polluted world, atmospheric air contains about 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. The last one percent consists of various other gases.
An oxygen concentrator sucks this atmospheric air, filters it through a sieve/filter and releases the nitrogen back into the atmosphere. The filtered oxygen is given to the patient through a cannula.
The studies have shown that these concentrators produce 90-95 percent pure oxygen. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015 stated, ”Concentrators can operate and produce oxygen 24 hours a day continuously and may last up to five years.”
As the majority of the states in India are facing scarcity of oxygen right now, people should start taking the help of concentrators when their oxygen saturation level drops below 94 percent. Notably, oxygen saturation level between 94-100 percent is considered safe and healthy.
These concentrators are effective on patients whose saturation level doesn’t drop below 90 percent, but they can be of help even for those with oxygen saturation dropping as low as 85 percent. Patients, whose oxygen level drops below this point, will require a better flow of oxygen than these concentrators can offer.
The experts claim that oxygen concentrators are not as good as Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), which are 99 percent pure and are a good option for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients, whose oxygen saturation level is at 90 percent or above.
The experts say that these are not appropriate for ICU patients.
Basically, there are two types of concentrators – Continuous flow and Pulse dose.
Continuous flow concentrators keep supplying the same flow of oxygen every minute if they are not turned off. The pulse dose concentrators are a little smarter and read the breathing pattern of the patient and release O2 on detecting inhalation. In the second type, the per-minute oxygen dispensation will vary.
These are the best alternatives of the cylinders and LMO, which are very tough to be transported and stored. Moreover, cylinders require to be refilled but concentrators can keep producing oxygen for up to five years or more, using just the ambient air and a power source.
The only drawback with the concentrators is that they can only supply 5-10 litres of oxygen per minute, while the critical patients may require 40-45 litres per minute.
The cost of these concentrators varies depending upon how much oxygen they produce per minute. Their cost may vary between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 90,000 in different markets.
As per the experts, if a patient is given one-litre oxygen through a concentrator, the oxygen percentage in the lungs shoots up to 24 percent, while with two litres, it reaches 28 percent and with 10 litres, it rises up to 60 percent. The oxygen per minute has to be regulated as per the requirement.
The patient must consult a physician to know how many litres per minute of oxygen is needed and a pulse oximeter is also necessary to monitor the oxygen saturation.
The quality of oxygen produced depends upon the number of sieves/filters used in the concentrator and their quality is not measured by their weight but by litre per minute output. The ideal weight of these concentrators is less than 27 kgs.
If the concentrator gets heated while working, the quality of oxygen produced may deplete. Hence, it should be used only when required.
The coronavirus pandemic has given a huge boost to the oxygen concentrator sales in India, as their demand has shot up shockingly. Earlier, where the demand was 40,000 concentrators annually, now it has gone up to 30,000-40,000 a month.
Well, oxygen concentrators have been an essential part of every home in China where there are people over 65 years of age. With COVID-19 infecting an increasing number of people on a daily basis, these concentrators can really help the Indian healthcare system.
Grab a concentrator and book a test for advanced health checkup.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
With the current death toll in Maharashtra having crossed 61,000 and the existing cases of COVID-19 in the state being more than 40 lakhs, the entire state has declared a ‘Break-the-chain’ initiative. Let’s take a look at some of the key points of contact for the people of Mumbai during these dire times.
The state of Maharashtra has designated several hospitals and treatment facilities to help patients affected with COVID-19 in Mumbai and most of these have a decent rate of bed availability as well. Here’s a list of all such hospitals in Mumbai:
The Government of Maharashtra has assigned several public hospitals as designated COVID-19 vaccination centres. A list of some of the government, as well as private vaccination centres with the best medical facilities in Mumbai, are given below:
Some of the key organisations that are currently providing donors for plasma therapy and facilitating direct contact of the families of patients with donors, are Team SOS, Dhoondh, PlasmaDonor.in, PINT, PlasmaLine.in, GiveRed.in, SimplyBlood.com, CityDonors.com and NDTV Plasma Drive.
The availability of this crucial medicine that is being used in the treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19 has been tough, to say the least. Due to the massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, there are only a few medicine distributors who have the availability of Remdesivir in their stock. Some of these distributors can be contacted by phone:
Due to the rising COVID-19 cases, the use of public transportation will be limited to medical staff and government employees only, while people visiting other districts and cities are being marked and compelled to undergo a 14 day home quarantine.
Coming to the recent lockdown and movement restrictions imposed by the Government of Maharashtra, the Mumbai Police have initiated an ingenious system of colour-coded stickers to put on vehicles who are travelling for essential services. The red colour sticker is to be used by all those who are travelling to the hospital or for any other health emergency. The yellow sticker is to be used for any other essential services, while the green colour sticker is to be used for travelling to the grocery store or delivering food items.
Many government and private agencies are providing transportation facilities to hospitals in case of emergencies and the people of Mumbai can avail of these ambulance services by contacting the providers given below:
The chart given below contains the contact numbers of doctors who have taken up the initiative of telephonic guidance during different times of the day.
| Name of Doctor | Contact Number | Time of Consultation |
| Dr Tushar Shah | 9321469911 | 8 am to 12 pm |
| Dr M Bhatt | 9320407074 | 8 am to 12 pm |
| Dr D Doshi | 9820237951 | 8 am to 12 pm |
| Dr G Kamath | 9136575405 | 12 pm to 4 pm |
| Dr S Manglik | 9820222384 | 12 pm to 4 pm |
| Dr J Jain | 7021092685 | 12 pm to 4 pm |
| Dr N Zaveri | 9321489748 | 4 pm to 8 pm |
| Dr S Ansari | 7045720278 | 4 pm to 8 pm |
| Dr L Kedia | 9321470560 | 4 pm to 8 pm |
| Dr N Kuma | 8104605550 | 8 pm to 11 pm |
| Dr P Bhargav | 9833887603 | 8 pm to 11 pm |
| Dr R Chauhan | 9892135010 | 8 pm to 11 pm |
Since the lockdown began in March 2020 and officially ended around June to July 2020, people have been forced indoors and this has resulted in the development of several mental health issues. The BMC has taken a bold step by providing a mental health helpline number (which is: 1800 120 820 050) to such people.
The Maharashtra Government as well as several local municipal bodies have undertaken the initiative to provide consultation and relief to the people with the help of several helpline numbers that are currently active across the state.
The Government of Maharashtra has announced a technical lockdown except for public transport and essential services from 22nd April to 1st May 2021. Moreover, similar curbs have also been placed on both public and private offices within Maharashtra till 1st May 2021 as a response to the rising cases of COVID-19 within the state.
With this information at hand, you will be better equipped to deal with any COVID-related emergency. Stay safe and take necessary precautionary measures.
Remember to knock out every obstacle that comes in the way of keeping you healthy.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The new COVID-19 strain has derailed the Indian healthcare infrastructure in no time, and our country, which was donating vaccines to the neighbouring nations a few weeks ago, is facing a shortage of the life-saving shots and almost every other facility required to fight this pandemic.
In a huge relief to the people, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in India. This is the third vaccine India has approved to use against the deadly virus. The earlier two are – Covishield and Covaxin. The former has been developed by the Oxford University-AstraZeneca and Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) is manufacturing it, while the latter has been developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).
Indian pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has joined hands with the Russian sovereign fund Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for carrying out the bridge clinical trials of the vaccine in India, which is the 60th country to approve its use.
The RDIF has confirmed that vaccine distribution will begin by the end of April or in the first week of May.
The Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, backed by the Russian state, has developed the vaccine. The registration of the vaccine in Russia was done in August 2020 as Gam-COVID-Vac, and the “V” in the name of the vaccine stands for alphabet V. The developer has informed that the vaccine can be stored at 2-8 degree celsius.
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has got the contract of distributing up to 250 million doses in India, by importing them. RDIF has also signed a manufacturing contract with Stelis Biopharma, Gland Pharma, Virchow Biotech, Panacea Biotec and Hetero Biopharma to manufacture more than 850 million Sputnik V doses in India. The doses produced in India will be exported across the world.
The production of the vaccine is soon to start at Hetero Biopharma and Panacea Biotec, while the other pharma companies will begin production in September 2021.
Sputnik V is an adenovirus viral vector vaccine, which carries viruses especially made containing the coronavirus genes. Some of these types of vaccines make their way into the cells and cause them to produce viral proteins. The others just gradually replicate, travelling through the body with virus proteins on their surface.
People have to get two doses of Sputnik V, similar to Covishield and Covaxin. Both the doses have to be administered at least 21 days apart. These are inoculated through injection into the muscle.
The Russian vaccine has shown excellent results with an efficacy rate of 91.5 percent. This rate is the highest after Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccines. Before giving it the green signal, a bridging trial was conducted in India.
Another positive news is that only 0.1 percent of the vaccine receivers have complained about the side effects.
In the international market, the Russian vaccine costs around Rs. 750 per dose, but its price in India is still to be decided, as the government is trying to negotiate the pricing with the manufacturer.
The vaccine approval for emergency use in India is very crucial as the second wave of the pandemic has already put India on the back foot in the war against the virus. Many states in the country have been reporting a shortage of vaccines, even when India is all set to expand the vaccination drive.
Russia became the first country to start inoculating its citizens with Sputnik V. It is currently being administered in many countries including Pakistan, Egypt, Argentina, Vietnam, Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan, Panama, Mauritius, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
With the quickly rising number of cases of COVID-19 in India, approval to Sputnik V for emergency use can come as a boon for the countrymen. We should hope that the first lot of vaccines land in India soon so that the vaccination drive can come back on the right track.
Know your current health status.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Next Page »« Previous Page