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PharmEasy Blog

COVID-19 – Make Work From Home Fun & Productive!

Steps to make work from home easy

  1. Find the perfect spot

2.   Make sure you have all the work essentials ready

3. Establish a routine

4. Technology can help

  5. Take small breaks

COVID-19 – Here’s How The Elderly Can Stay Protected!

Why are the elderly so vulnerable to COVID-19?  

Here are some dos and don’ts for senior citizens –

Do’s

1.    Stay at home and do not entertain guests or visitors at home. Any of them could have the COVID-19 infection.
2. If meeting with people is essential, then you must maintain a distance of at least 1 metre (3.2 feet) from them.
3.    Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after handling anything that came from outside (groceries, newspapers, etc.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
4. Make sure that you are getting good quality nutrition through freshly cooked home meals.
5. Optimum hydration is an absolute must. Plenty of clean water and fruit juices (without sugar) are recommended.
6. Regular exercise can boost immunity. Simple activities like walking inside the house or climbing the stairs can be considered.
7. Make sure that you are taking the prescribed doses of your medicines for pre-existing ailments.
8. If any elective surgery (like a cataract removal procedure) is scheduled during the lockdown, it must be postponed. Going to a hospital can expose you to COVID-19.
9.    Doorbells, door handles, keys and other such frequently touched objects must be cleaned regularly.
10.    Stay in touch with your family members who are not living with you through phone calls and video conferencing.
11. If you observe any symptoms of COVID-19, go to a hospital immediately.

Don’ts

1.    Do not sneeze or cough into your hands or with your mouth uncovered.
2.    Do not touch your face, mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
3.    Do not go near those who appear sick.
4.    Don’t self-medicate.
5.    Do not shake hands or hug.
6.    Do not go for your routine health check-up now.
7.    Do not go to markets, public parks where plenty of people gather.
8.    Do not step out of your house unless necessary.

Coronavirus Outbreak – Things You Didn’t Know!

The coronavirus menace has reached India. The viral infection became an epidemic in December 2019 as it spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan to most parts of the globe. And for quite some time, India had been able to evade this disease. But eventually, our luck ran out.

The coronavirus case count is increasing steadily with new cases being reported every day. Now, more than ever, it is important for people to form a clear idea of the coronavirus disease. Only when we are armed with knowledge can we save ourselves and prevent further escalation of this health emergency.

A)   What is coronavirus?

Today the whole world is talking about coronavirus. We know that it can be lethal and it is highly contagious. But what is it exactly? As the name suggests, it is a type of virus that looks like a crown under the microscope.

There are several strains of this virus known to scientists. Many strains exist in animals without affecting humans. Coronavirus belongs to the same family of viruses as the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory System). The strain that originated in China and has caused so many deaths is called the COVID-19.    

Scientists do not know how the COVID-19 first affected humans. Neither do they know exactly where in Wuhan the virus struck. Many believe that the outbreak can be traced to a seafood market. But later research found that the first person who contracted COVID-19 (patient Zero) had not consumed seafood purchased from that market.

This new strain of coronavirus has an incubation period of 14 days, which is why it takes 10-14 days from the time of exposure to the virus for symptoms to show up.

B)   How would you know that you have contracted coronavirus?

It is extremely important that everyone learns to identify the symptoms of coronavirus. And remembering them isn’t difficult because coronavirus symptoms are the same as those of the flu.

You may have developed coronavirus infection if you notice these symptoms-

1. Sore, itchy or swollen throat
2. Coughing and sneezing      
3. Fever
4. Headache and muscle pain that accompanies fever
5. Breathing difficulty
6. Runny nose

    There are a few risk factors of coronavirus-

1. Having travelled to or lived in countries that have reported coronavirus outbreaks.
2. Being elderly.
3. Having a history of heart problems and diabetes.

C)   How will you confirm if you have coronavirus?

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, do not waste time and visit your doctor immediately. Do not pass them off as signs of the common cold because coronavirus is here in India and your timely action can keep not just you but also everyone you come in contact with safe.

You will be recommended a blood test by the doctor. If the lab test finds traces of coronavirus in your sample, then it will be confirmed that you have the disease. You will then be put under treatment and quarantined so that you do not spread the disease to others by coughing or sneezing.

D)   Treatment of coronavirus

At present, no vaccine or medicine can prevent or cure coronavirus. People who have tested positive are kept under observation. Treatment involves managing the symptoms of the viral infection such as taking medicines that help with coughing, nasal blockage, pain and sore throat.

  If the disease progresses to pneumonia, medicines that can cure it are administered. Patients have to drink lots of fluids and eat healthily. They will be discharged as soon as the symptoms dissipate and tests reveal that the virus is no longer present in their bodies.

E)   Coronavirus Dos and Don’ts

To help curb the coronavirus pandemic, here is a list of dos and don’ts that we must all observe –

Dos

1. Do wash your hands with soap and water or alcoholic hand sanitiser frequently, especially if you are using public facilities like transportation and washrooms.
2. Do avoid contact with anyone who looks sick.
3. Do use a disposable napkin or a handkerchief to cover your face when you cough or sneeze.

Don’ts

1. Don’t be part of a large gathering. If you are within just a few feet of an infected person, you could contract the virus.
2. Don’t touch your face, nose, mouth or eyes with unwashed hands.
3. Don’t hide your symptoms for fear of being quarantined.
4. Don’t travel abroad especially to countries that are reeling under the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus is wreaking havoc globally. But you can stop it in its tracks if you follow the precautions strictly. So observe personal hygiene and request your loved ones to do the same to stay safe and protected.

(Available in select cities only – Mumbai, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Jaipur, Hyderabad)

Also, you can assess yourself and your loved ones at home with –

PharmEasy’s AI-Powered Bot – Covid Assist

Do you feel like you may have the symptoms of Coronavirus? You can now book the Coronavirus Detection Test right from the comforts of your home. Click below.

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.

Coronavirus: Latest Updates And India’s Role In Curbing It!

Table of contents:

• Latest updates on Coronavirus
• Updates from India
• What is India doing to curb Coronavirus?
• How prepared are we?
• Precautions you need to adopt to be safe
• Where can you get screened for Coronavirus?
• FAQs on Coronavirus

Latest updates on Coronavirus

• The number of people afflicted by coronavirus is escalating by the day. As we speak, the number stands at 186,865 globally.
• 7,471 people have lost their lives to coronavirus from across the world. 3226 of the deceased are from China.
• The second most affected country is Italy with 27,980 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
• The second-highest fatality rate has been witnessed by Italy where the death toll stands at 2158.
• The USA has promised $8.3 billion in aid to help the world contain the coronavirus epidemic.
• Researchers are racing against time to develop a drug that can prevent or kill the coronavirus. They have identified a special protein in the human body that allows the virus to enter the cells of the lung and they are using this breakthrough to formulate a medicine.
• Italy is under complete lockdown, with Italians being urged to stay at home and all public gatherings are being banned.

Updates from India

• By 2nd March, 5 cases of coronavirus were reported in India.
• By 6th March, the number had jumped sharply. As of this moment, 30 people in India have tested positive for coronavirus.
• More than 2000 Indians are stranded in Tehran, Iran. Since Iran is in the grips of coronavirus, the Indians who have been living there may have contracted it as well. That is why India has sent 4 scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research who will screen the Indians in Tehran before they board a flight that will bring them back to India.
• On 6th March, special flight services will operate between New Delhi and Tehran to evacuate the stranded Indians. And 1 empty flight will also be reaching New Delhi from Tehran, which will be boarded by Iranian nationals who are currently in India.
• 153 people in India have tested positive for coronavirus.
• The demand for alcohol-based hand sanitisers has shot up 10 times.
• The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Association of India) has announced that all food items coming in from abroad, even from countries dealing with coronavirus outbreak, are completely safe for consumption. The advisory also stated that people should refrain from consuming uncooked or undercooked meat.
• It is estimated (by the UN) that India will suffer losses worth $348 million due to disruptions in trade caused by the coronavirus.
•   Maharashtra has reported 39 cases so far, the highest in India.

What is India doing to curb Coronavirus?

1. Isolation wards to treat coronavirus patients have been set up in government hospitals and several private hospitals.
2.   12 sets of coronavirus helplines have been established for 12 regions of the country. The calls are being answered promptly.
3. Outposts along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Tibet borders have been equipped with screening devices.
4. All flyers entering India from any nation will be screened. The screening will no longer apply to only those passengers coming in from coronavirus affected nations. Passengers travelling to India from Italy or South Korea will have to present a medical certificate from March 10th.
5. India has cancelled the e-visas of Japanese nationals.
6. 82 sample-testing facilities exist in India currently.
7. Extensive screening is being carried out at 21 airports, 12 major seaports and 65 smaller seaports.
8. The government of Sikkim will not be issuing the Inner Line Permit until further notice. No foreigners are being allowed into the state and Nathula Permit too has been suspended.
9. India will not be sending its archery team to the Asia Cup, to be hosted by Bangkok for fears of exposure to coronavirus.
10.   India has declared a complete travel ban to 4 countries- China, Italy, Iran and South Korea.
11. West Bengal has quarantined 1200 people who entered the state from other countries.
12. Every state has set up a rapid response team at the village block and district levels.
13. India is urging people to abstain from attending mass gatherings.

How prepared are we?

Precautions you need to adopt to be safe

1. Coronavirus spreads from infected people through their coughs and sneezes. Maintain 3 feet of distance between yourself and a person who appears sick.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitisers repeatedly especially when you are away from home.
3. Sneeze into the bend of your elbows.
4. Avoid touching people.

Where can you get screened for Coronavirus?

FAQs on Coronavirus

Should I get tested for COVID-19?

• In close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 infection
•   Travelled to an area where there is ongoing community transmission of COVID-19
• Worked in or attended a healthcare facility where patients with COVID-19 infections were being treated

What is the mode of transmission of coronavirus? How (easily) does it spread?

• The virus seems to be transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets after people sneeze, cough or exhale. There is currently not enough epidemiological information to determine how easily and sustainably this virus spreads between people.

Are some people more at risk than others?

• Generally, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer) are considered to be more at risk of developing severe symptoms.

Are children also at risk of infection?

• Disease in children appears to be relatively rare and mild. A study from China suggested that just over 2% of cases were under 18 years of age. Of these, fewer than 3% developed severe or critical diseases.  

Where do coronaviruses come from?

• A wide range of animals is known to be the source of coronaviruses.
• The animal source of the latest outbreak has not yet been identified, but the original host is thought to be bats.

Coronavirus Outbreak – The Latest From Around The World!

The coronavirus epidemic, which began to make headlines in January 2020, has since then claimed more than 2000 lives in China. Globally, 80,155 people have been affected by it ever since. The whole world is worried because we still haven’t come up with a way to halt its progress.

Here are a few things that are known about coronavirus:

• This virus belongs to the same family of pathogens as the one that caused SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
• There are 76,392 confirmed cases of coronavirus in China, all of which are being treated.
• In 80.9% of the cases in China, coronavirus is considered ‘benign’. In 13.8% of the cases, the infection is considered ‘serious’. 4.7% of the cases have turned critical.
• The Centre of Diseases Control has said that senior citizens are more likely to contract coronavirus.
• People with diabetes or heart problems have to be extra careful because these conditions are risk factors of coronavirus.
•  The symptoms of coronavirus are the same as those of cough, common cold and the flu.
•  It is believed that the virus first originated from bats. The virus has the ability to jump from one species to another and spreads the same way as the flu does.
•  Currently, 34 countries have reported an outbreak of coronavirus. Iran and Italy are the most recent entrants to this list, proving that coronavirus is spreading far and wide.

(Available in select cities only – Mumbai, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Jaipur, Hyderabad)

What is the situation like in India?

Is India immune to the coronavirus risk? No. Since we have trade relations with China and many people travel back and forth from China both for business and travel, the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in India is very much possible.

Neurological symptoms or mental health conditions, including difficulty thinking or concentrating, headache, sleep problems, dizziness when you stand, pins-and-needles feeling, loss of smell or taste, and depression or anxiety are some of the common symptoms that can be seen in covid, mental health amongst these is often neglected.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Here a few updates:

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has advised people not to travel to China until the epidemic subsides completely.
• Any person who has travelled to China since January and has returned to the country is being quarantined. All international airports in India are on high alert and all people coming in from countries with reported cases of coronavirus are being kept under observation.
• Since cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Thailand and Singapore very recently, Indians returning from these two countries are being screened at the airports.
• Screening stations have been set up at checkpoints along India’s border with Bhutan and Nepal.
• One person from Kerala has tested positive for coronavirus. Fortunately, everyone else who has been screened and quarantined has tested negative. They are healthy and they have returned home to their loved ones.

What should you do if you are travelling abroad?

We do not know when this outbreak will die down. Does that mean you cannot travel abroad? Of course not! If you are planning on going abroad, you have to adopt a few precautionary measures to be absolutely safe.

Here are a few things you must do:

1. Wear coronavirus masks if you are going to a country where people have been infected with this virus. These masks can filter the air you are breathing in and thus stop the virus that causes this infection.
2. Simply keeping your hands clean can minimize your risk of getting a coronavirus infection. Infected people leave behind viruses on things they touch. And if you touch that, you can be infected. For example, bus handrails, toilet doorknobs, door handles, overhead luggage compartments of aeroplanes are things that hundreds of people touch every day. So if you are using public transport or restroom or if you are on a plane, please wash your hands with soap and water. Carry hand sanitizer with you always.
3. Always wash your hands before you consume a meal.
4. Do not touch your face, mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
5. Try to keep your distance from people who are sick.
6. Do you have a weak immunity?   If so, strengthen it first before you head to foreign shores. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants that bolster your defence. Drink lukewarm water with lemon juice daily to strengthen immunity.
7. Ask your doctor to administer a flu shot. It may not stop coronavirus but it will definitely reduce the risk of contracting it.
8. If you witness symptoms like fever, runny nose, coughing and headache, consult your nearest health expert.

Every one of us needs to be cautious. If we all adopt precautionary measures, then we can stop the transmission of coronavirus and keep our loved ones and ourselves safe & protected!

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.