Health - The Purbottar

26 May

Surat sees rise in Covid-19 cases in Children: No deaths reported

editor0 CommentsHealthchildren, covid, Health, INDIA, Surat

In Surat, more than 560 children, all up to 10 years, tested positive for the virus in the first wave of Covid-19, while the cases increased nearly three-fold with around 1,700 children being affected during the second wave. However, no fatality was reported among the age group. The data comes amid apprehensions that children would be severely infected during the third Covid-19 wave. AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, however, recently stated that the fears were not based on facts. According to the data shared by Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) health department, between April and December 2020, the first wave of…

25 May

Gynaecologist explains what pregnant couples should know regarding the Covid-19 vaccines

editor0 CommentsHealth, Lifestylecovid vaccine, Health, INDIA, pregnant

According to Dr Gayatri Deshpande, senior consultant, gynaecology and obstetrics at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, in India, there are millions of lactating mothers, expecting women, and women attempting pregnancy. “The vaccine doesn’t only negate the risk of infection, but also substantially reduces its severity. Thus, the advantages of vaccination outweigh risks by a huge margin.” “Over 5,000 pregnant and lactating women presented a robust immune response post-vaccination in a recent study done in the United States,” she said, adding: “The protective antibodies were isolated in the umbilical cord at the time of delivery and in the breast milk, which…

25 May

Fitness series: Comprehensive guide to bounce back from Covid-19

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, Health

Starting a fitness program is one of the best things to do for staying fit. Physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve balance and coordination, help lose weight — and even improve sleep habits and self-esteem.. 1. To assess fitness level Assessing and recording baseline fitness scores can give you benchmarks against which to measure your progress. To enhance aerobic and muscular fitness, flexibility, and body composition, consider recording: Record pulse rate before and immediately after walking 1 mile (1.6 kilometers)Time taken to walk 1 mile, or how long it takes to run 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometers)Record…

25 May

Covid-19 Vaccination: All do’s and don’ts you need to keep in mind

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, Health, INDIA, vaccination

Dr Kanchan Sanyal, advisor health and wellness, Columbia Pacific Communities, explains all do’s and don’ts for before and after your Covid-19 vaccination. Schedule your appointment and stick to it Your state may have certain requirements for registering and scheduling your dose. Find out what is applicable to your state and fix the appointment. Missing your appointment could result in a wasted dose of the vaccine. Once the vaccine vial is opened, it must be used on the same day or it’s wasted. So be a responsible citizen. Accept whichever vaccine is available Avoid “vaccine shopping” and take whichever vaccine you…

25 May

Centre enables on-site registration for 18-44 age group at Covid-19 vaccination centres

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, INDIA, Vaccine

Centre on Monday enabled on-site registration and appointment for 18-44 age group at government-run Covid-19 vaccination centres (CVCs). This decision came more than three weeks after it rolled out vaccination for the 18-44 age group, where slots could be booked only through online appointment on Co-WIN. However, with several states forced to shut down vaccination sites or operate a limited number of vaccination sites due to unavailability and shortage of vaccines, the Centre’s decision to allow walk-ins is likely to have limited impact. So far, only vaccinations for those above 45 were allowed through walk-ins, with those in the 18-44 age group…

25 May

Cyclone Yaas, formed over Bay of Bengal, intensifies into a ‘Severe Cyclone’

editor0 CommentsHealthCyclone, INDIA, odisha, Weather, west bengal, Yaas

India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday, that Cyclone Yaas, formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a ‘Severe Cyclone’ category (wind speed – 100 to 110 kms/ hr). Yaas intensified late on Monday night and is set to strengthen into ‘Very Severe Cyclone‘ by Tuesday afternoon as it traverses north-westwards and advances towards the north Odisha – West Bengal coast by Wednesday morning. According to the latest available cyclone position at 5 am on Tuesday, Yaas moved at a speed of 9 kms / hr overnight and lay 360 kms south-south-east of Paradip, 460 kms south-southeast of…

24 May

Deadly Volcano erupts in Congo: 22 deaths confirmed

editor0 CommentsHealthafrica, international, Volcano

At least 22 deaths have been confirmed following Saturday's eruption of a nearby volcano, Mount Nyiragongo. But the lava stopped short of the city's built-up area. This avoided the level of death and destruction witnessed in 2002. Five people died of asphyxiation while trying to cross the lava when it was cooling in a place just north of Goma. A sixth person is in hospital with breathing difficulties, civil society leader Mambo Kawaya told the AFP news agency. Since then, the authorities have tried to prevent people from visiting places where the lava is cooling, Goma journalist Esdras Tsongo told…

24 May

What is Black Fungus? Everything you should know about it

editor0 CommentsHealthBlack fungus, Covid-19, INDIA

Mucormycosis (previously known as Zygomycosis) is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds known as micromycetes. Rhino-orbital-cerebral-mucormycosis (ROCM) is caused by molds of the order Mucorales. In this, there are a few subgroups like Rhizopus, Mucor, Rhizomucor which are most commonly involved in this infection. These fungi are angioinvasive i.e, they invade the surrounding blood vessels and destroy them resulting in tissue necrosis and death. These molds live throughout the environment and their spores are present in the air. They get lodged in the nasal cavity and adjoining sinuses. On reaching a favourable milieu they ensconce…

24 May

Covid RAT kits: Everything you need to know

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, Health, INDIA, RAT kits

Dr Md Shakeel Ahmed, head emergency medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, says that according to ICMR, individuals who test positive using the home testing kit may be considered as true positives, and no-repeat testing is required. It should be noted the self-use test can be used by symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of confirmed cases, as per ICMR guidelines. Users of this test will not need sample collection by a healthcare professional. This will also ease pressure on overburdened labs and reduce delays in testing. Here's answering some more of your questions regarding the kits: How does the home-testing kit…

24 May

Moderna turns down Punjab government’s request, says it does not supply to states

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, INDIA, Moderna, punjab

Punjab’s efforts to procure Covid-19 vaccines from global manufacturers suffered a setback on Sunday after Moderna turned down the government’s request, saying it does not supply directly to states. Punjab government’s Nodal Officer for Vaccination Vikas Garg said, “They have written to us that as a part of their policy, they do not deal directly with states or private parties. They only deal with the Government of India.” Garg had written to the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based pharma and biotech company two days ago, seeking supplies of its mRNA vaccine for the state. Several other states and the Mumbai civic body have also floated global…