With the second wave around and time's not being great I have come up with a special post. In today's post my mom - Dr.Sucheta Kataria will be answering a few basic questions that everyone needs to be aware of during covid - Precautions one must take and how to deal with it incase you have contracted it.
Dr. Sucheta Kataria
Q. What is covid-19?
SK- Covid is a viral disease caused by the Novel Corona Virus Covid 19.
Q. How does the virus spread?
SK- Initially the viral spread was through aerosol and also surface contact but currently in the second wave it is mainly airborne.
Q. What Precautions to take to avoid getting affecting by second wave?
SK- The three main things that one should do to prevent the infection is
a)Wear a mask
b)Wash your hands and use a sanitizer
c)Also, please maintain social distancing when your in public spots.
Q. Top 5 lists of things to do if I contract covid.
SK- 1) isolate yourself
2)Monitor your temperature and oxygen every four hours
3) Follow your doctor's instructions
4) Hydrate well
5)Be positive and do breathing exercises
Q. Is it safe for all to take vaccine?
SK- Yes, everyone should take the vaccine. Do register yourself on the government portal and book your slot.
Q. What are the pros and cons of taking the vaccine?
SK - Pros: Vaccination will help to acquire herd immunity and prevent severe Covid illness and hospitalization.
Cons: Few people may develop allergic reactions. There have been some cases in Europe where Covishield has led to thrombosis (when blood clots in your blood vessels)
Nevertheless to prevent and fight covid it is important to take the vaccine. It surely doesn't give an assurance that you may never have covid after taking the shot but it reduces the risks of the illness. Please do maintain all precautions while getting and after getting the vaccine.
Q. What are the major complications of covid?
SK - The complications that have been witnessed so far are Acute respiratory failure which occurs when fluid builds up in the air sacs in your lungs, pneumonia, Acute Liver Injury, Heart Problems and many others.
Q. Is it okay for me to donate blood if I had covid?
SK - After you have recovered completely you can donate blood.
Q. What are the different types of tests for covid?
SK - a) RT PCR for Covid b) Rapid antigen test for Covid
These two tests are to check if you have been infected by the virus. There are another two tests called Rapid antibody test Total and IgG which can be done between 3-4 weeks to know if one has suffered from Covid.
Q. What advice should be given to patients with known or presumed COVID-19 managed at home?
SK - They should isolate themselves and not move about in public.
They should wash their hands frequently.
They should wear mask at all times.
Q. What considerations are there for other special populations? (children, pregnant women, people with disabilities)
SK - Children and pregnant women cannot be vaccinated so they have to take all the precautions to prevent getting the infection.
Incase children get infection then they have to take care because children are getting MIS-C, Multi system inflammatory syndrome in children.
Q. As physical health is important so is mental health, How to manage that during quarantine?
SK - Yoga and meditation help in remaining calm and poise. Also one should always be positive and keep talking to one's loved ones and friends because isolation can become really difficult at times. Try distracting your mind, give into hobbies or watch films, listen to music. Join mental health groups and stay safe.
Thank You.
Hope this post was of help to you. Stay tuned for the next post.
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