Corona Virus

• Overview

  

  Never before in our lifetime has the world come to a standstill, billions are at home and all this due to a tiny particle that we cannot even see or feel and something that is not also strictly a living organism.

  We are all at home and trying to process the incessant flow of information streaming over various media platforms. A lot of people are feeling dejected, hopeless and frightened as well.

  I have been receiving calls from many of my patients and hence decided to pen down my thoughts. This is an effort to provide some facts about the pandemic and some suggestions of how to cope with the disease.

• Where Did It All Begin

  The saga started off in Dec 2019, when the Chinese health authorities reported an outbreak of a peculiar kind of illness looking like flue but with the potential of causing severe pneumonia and even death. The initial patients were some stall owners in the fish market in Wuhan in the Hubei province in China. It’s quite likely that the disease could have come into humans through infected bats and even pangolins (ant eater mammals) that are consumed by the local people. The disease spread very rapidly locally and was found to be due to a strain of a virus called the corona virus.

• Why Is This Called The Novel Corona Virus

  Corona virus infections are not new to mankind. The SARS epidemic of 2003 (South Asian Respiratory syndrome) in China and other Asian countries and MERS ( Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in Saudi Arabia were also due to strains of corona virus – the name corona is derived from spikes of protein on the surface that resemble a crown. The current virus strain belongs to the same family of viruses but has mutated by interacting with some animal genetic material and a new highly infective and deadly strain has emerged. Hence the moniker- novel Corona virus.

• What Really Is Pandemic

  A pandemic is a disease that has spread in many countries across the world and affecting people of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. There are almost 670,000 patients across the globe and about 31000 people have succumbed to it. There are about 1050 patients on India with 25 deaths reported so far.

• How Does The Disease Spread

  Droplets of infected persons can infect people in the near vicinity of a patient and the virus is also known to survive on a variety of surfaces for up to 9 days

• Does The Temperature/ Weather Matter, Is The Indian Strain Less Virulent

  I have read many posts in the social media that the virus is destroyed at temperatures seen in countries like India and also that the strain seen in our country is less virulent – there is however no scientific data to support this and we can’t let our guard down.

• How Do I Know That My Cough And Cold Is Not The Usual Flu

  Well, you cannot be sure, although cough, loss of taste and smell and shortness of breath along with fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit should make one suspicious.

• Can I Get Myself Tested At A Lab For Corona

  Currently one cannot just walk into a lab and get the test done. Presently designated health authorities will decide if a person with symptoms needs a test.

• As A Patient Of Diabetes Hypertension Or Heart Disease, Am I Going To Get The Infection?

  Anyone who has come in contact with a Covid-19 patient can get affected. However elderly people with underlying diabetes and cardiovascular problems are more at risk with higher chances of it becoming severe.

• What Care Should Diabetics Take In The Current Scenario

  I urge all diabetics to check their sugar levels at home and take their medicines regularly. Corona is an excellent reason to keep your diabetes under control. If you need advice with what to do, please contact your doctor. The Medical Council of India has allowed the use of consultations over phone or internet. Do not crowd the hospitals for routine symptoms. Staying at home causes anxiety and boredom and may lead to comfort snacking. This is especially bad for diabetics and be vigilant about this. Exercise helps control sugars and also provides some relief from anxiety and boosts immunity. Be sure to follow some suitable exercise regimen at home regularly.

• Should I Change My Bp Medicines?

  There were some news articles that certain BP medicines need to be avoided since they increase the risk of entry of Corona virus. A global team of experts have examined this issue and found no need to change any ongoing medicines.

• What If I Get Cough/cold/fever

  Transitioning from winter to summer months brings minor colds (non-Corona related). For mild symptoms, you may use usual home remedies. There have been some reports about avoiding pills containing ibuprofen & aspirin. There is no certainty about this but at present it might be wise to avoid these. Paracetamol would be a better option. If symptoms persist or worsen, talk to your doctor or the various help lines available.

• Should I Wear A Mask At All Times

  It is recommended to wear a face mask if

  • You have running nose, cough or sneezing .
  • You are visiting or caring for a person who has respiratory symptoms
  • You are visiting a healthcare facility
  • People may still wear a mask when they move out of the house but make sure that you use a clean mask every 8 hours, dispose the mask in a closed bin and know how to tie and untie the mask.

  I see many people moving around with dirty cloths tied around their neck which they pull over their mouth and nose off and on. This is not only not helpful, it is dangerous. Do not re use disposable masks and don’t keep touching the masks with your hands.

• Should I Wear A Mask At All Times

  It is recommended to wear a face mask if

  • You have running nose, cough or sneezing .
  • You are visiting or caring for a person who has respiratory symptoms
  • You are visiting a healthcare facility
  • People may still wear a mask when they move out of the house but make sure that you use a clean mask every 8 hours, dispose the mask in a closed bin and know how to tie and untie the mask.

  I see many people moving around with dirty cloths tied around their neck which they pull over their mouth and nose off and on. This is not only not helpful, it is dangerous. Do not re use disposable masks and don’t keep touching the masks with your hands.

• Can I Prevent Corona Virus Infection With Chloroquine

  The Indian Council of Medical Research has published guidelines on this issue. Presently, the drug is only advised to those people who have come in close contact with a patient of confirmed Corona infection. There is no recommendation for all people to take it. It is dangerous to take this medicine unless indicated and recommended by a qualified doctor. Only a doctor can give this medicine to you.

• I Am Getting Very Anxious About This Pandemic, What Should I Do?

  It is natural to develop anxiety over something that’s uncertain at the moment. But please at least follow certain rules

  • Avoid checking news items about COVID all the time. There is a difference between being informed and being overwhelmed.
  • Social media news items can be vague and sensationalized. Do not mindlessly forward gloomy, pessimistic pieces of information.
  • Do not constantly check mortality figures across the world.
  • Develop a routine of work, reading, exercise, meals and sleep and stick to it.
  • Avoid excess of caffeine and alcohol. Both increase anxiety
  • Look out for others – family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, employees. They may be in need of help too.
  • Try meditating in any way that soothes your mind
  • Be optimistic and believe that this will pass.

  I see many people moving around with dirty cloths tied around their neck which they pull over their mouth and nose off and on. This is not only not helpful, it is dangerous. Do not re use disposable masks and don’t keep touching the masks with your hands.

Hormones & Diabetes Care Center strongly advocates ‘Social Distancing’, hence to avoid intermingling of patients, our clinic will remain closed till the situation is clear. You may post a query on this page; if you feel you need urgent medical attention, please contact the emergency departments of Ruby Hall Clinic (020 66455100) or Jupiter Hospital (020 27992799).

DO NOT PANIC. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE