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Impact, Symptoms and the Way to Shield Ourselves from Omicron Variant

January 21, 2022

The World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) dubbed the new COVID-19 virus variant “Omicron” on November 26, 2021. COVID-19’s latest variant is also known as B.1.1.529. In areas where there is a history of community transmission, Omicron is expected to spread rapidly, even surpassing the rate of transmission of the Delta variant of Covid-19. This new variety continues to pose a significant risk creating fear in the minds of innumerable people.

When a virulent disease spreads widely and causes a large number of infections, the virus’s chances of mutating increase. A virus’s dynamics change as its chances of spreading grow, which means that the more hosts it finds, the more it changes into various forms. New variants like Omicron and the subsequent development of new variants put it evidently that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.

Impact of Omicron Variant

The Omicron variant, which has over 30 mutations on the spike protein of the coronavirus, can escape the immunity chain that is developed in the body with the vaccines. Past research by the Health security agency of the UK shows that Omicron diminishes the effect of two-dose Pfizer vaccines and other vaccines like Covisheild. For instance, the AstraZeneca vaccine offered up to 60% protection against the Delta variant 25 weeks after completion of the doses. In Omicron’s case, this was right down to 40%. Some early findings suggest that Omicron may exceed the transmission rate of even the Delta variant, which was found to be the most transmissible coronavirus variant in history. But the WHO is yet unclear if the faster spread translates to Omicron’s inherent virulence.

Based on limited existing evidence, Omicron appears to own a growth advantage over Delta. The WHO has stated that in the Republic of South Africa and other nations of Africa, where the spike of delta variant was relatively low, Omicron is rising in its transmissibility and infecting more people.

Even after dedicated study and analysis, it is challenging to state whether Omicron’s rising rate in nations with a vast population results from a decreased level of immunity or the effect of Omicron variant ability to transmit at a higher rate than other variants of Covid-19 virus.

Nevertheless, the statement of WHO has observed that considering the data of transmission, it is possible that Omicron will replace Delta virus as the virus which has affected the most number of people.

In India particularly, 6,000 cases have been identified till January 17, 2022.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms for the new COVID-19 variant “Omicron” are fever, cough, and tiredness, loss of taste or smell. Other symptoms include headache, diarrhea, pain, aches, skin discoloration, irritation in the eyes, pharyngitis, et cetera.

Serious symptoms

Serious symptoms of the new COVID Variant “Omicron” are difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility, or confusion or pain.
As per data analyzed by scientists, only 50% of Covid-infected people experienced fever, cough, or loss of smell and taste.
Loss of appetite was regarded as one of the foremost surprising symptoms among many. Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has stated that there’s no clear proof regarding the transmissibility, immune evasion or severity of Omicron in India. INSACOG has briefed that though the severity is still not as high, the possibility is still looming over the Indian population of a surge in Covid-19 cases, with more people getting an infection of the Omicron virus. It further states that while the Delta variant, including its B.1.617.2 (AY) and AY.x sub-lineages, continues to be the most variant of concern globally, Omicron is increasing to such a large extent.

Protection Against the Omicron Variant

It will take some weeks to find out critical aspects about this latest variant, including whether it’s more contagious, causes more severe illness, or evades immunity. In the meantime, says Dr. Julie Vaishampayan of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, it is better to cover oneself with as many layers as possible under medical guidance. That’s especially important with holiday travel and gatherings around the corner.

Apart from the other alternatives, a booster is one among those potent layers. It is a fact that the added dose of any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines triggers a giant jump in virus-fighting antibodies.
But, those elderly people, patients with co-morbidities and those workers who are at the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 disease should be given first preference for availing booster doses.
Taking a balanced diet with sufficient nutrients and minerals, abstaining from large crowds, and further facilitating adequate ventilation are the defensive steps in protecting ourselves from this deadly virus. All these are suggested as precautionary measures to curb the spread of the disease.
At a personal level, frequent hand washing, wearing potent masks, preferably N-95 or surgical masks (should be disposed of after single use), and avoiding human physical contact can be quite helpful in ensuring protection against Omicron variant.

Covid Measures For The Elderly in Florida

November 24, 2020

The elderly should be given prime importance amidst the ongoing pandemic, beginning with education and awareness as the first step.

Key Words: Covid among the elderly, Vaccinations for the elderly, Covid safety measures for the elderly

A state of crisis and chaos prevails with the all-encompassing pandemic, and Florida is in dire need to hold its senior demographic as an equal priority and minimize the consequences.

With the onset of the pandemic, Florida, like many other states were affected by the virus. The way the Florida government tackled the pandemic permitted a certain sense of relief for brief comforting months. The arrival of the Delta variant was largely unexpected, yet still, it proved to be a whole lot severe and deadly in the infections it caused. The countless infected by the delta variant is on the rise, and sadly enough, it is primarily the younger generation that is not making it to the finish line this time.

Why Florida

In Florida, the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions led to an unhealthy result. With masks made to be not mandatory and no rules imposed on vaccinations, there appears to be plenty of room for welcoming further infections. Panic-struck hospitals and doctors are on the verge of running on empty because of the acute nature of the cases and the drastic increase in their number. With all of this, hope seems bleak for doctors and hospitals as they traverse through everything in their potential to rescue lives.

A Serious Concern

Given the situation in Florida, a concern that arises now would be the older generation inhabiting the state. The contagious nature of the virus from the first wave targeted the aged and the elderly as easy prey taking advantage of prevailing health conditions. With the onset of the delta variant, it is no question that the senior members must be made aware of the severity of the second wave and how to tackle it. Basic protocols are more than enough to keep them in safety and free from the virus.

Here are the reasons why the elderly are always the target in this pandemic:

Vulnerability is a deadly factor causing people to fall easy prey to the Variant. The rate of infections in populations over the age of 70 is rising at an alarming rate and is a source of serious worry. A pre-existing condition already has the body at a weakened state, allowing it to fall easy prey to infections.
Less Social Mobility has been identified to be a silent cause. It appears that the reason for infections among the elderly is a result of transmissions that have occurred from youngsters to their peers and finally to their less socially mobile elders.
People with specific weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of contracting the infection. These include people with HIV, autoimmune diseases, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Bells Palsy. Safety is a whole lot easier to achieve with awareness.
Pre-existing conditions- It is necessary to check the requirements listed in the Covid – 19 vaccine clinical trials as a part of safety measures. These are reports of information provided by vaccine manufacturers from clinical trials, including demographics and underlying medical conditions of those who participated in the trials.

What Can Be Done

Getting Vaccinated– The risk of severe illnesses from Covid- 19 increases with age. Adults over the age of 65 years and older must receive vaccinations mandatorily. Getting vaccinated saves people from being held vulnerable to the virus and plays a vital role in reducing health issues with the onset of an infection. For the elderly with underlying medical conditions, vaccinations can still be administered. These vaccines are specifically formulated keeping in mind those with pre-existing conditions to prevent further complications. This makes vaccination a responsibility of every individual irrespective of age.
Masks are Mandatory Irrespective Of Government Rules – Masks quickly put out of the risk to a great extent with minimal effort. Masks are the most effective ways, along with vaccinations, that can help curb the infection and put people out of danger.
General Health – People with pre-existing illnesses have to maintain a strict checkup routine and be even more cautious to remain healthier always.
Outdoor Events and Activities– It is always best to avoid outdoor activities as much as possible for the elderly, given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. Staying home is always the best precaution that can be undertaken to prevent the disease from spreading.

Diet– Poor diet patterns make the body vulnerable to catching infections quickly. A proper diet ensures that the body is equipped with essential nutrients to fight infections and germs. Especially in the elderly, good immunity must be prioritized.
Awareness: Most of the time, lack of proper education can be one of the crucial causes for people getting infected. Elderly members must be explained in detail regarding the severity of the pandemic and the importance of taking precautions. Proper education will help them understand why all the prescribed measures are necessary and make the whole process much more manageable.
Anxiety and Fear – The novelty of the pandemic may be a source of anxiety, stress and fear among the elderly. Therefore, it is essential to explain that these fears are a natural process of coping with the new changes. And if found to be more severe, it is necessary to acknowledge these mental issues, and they need to be dealt with in a professional way. Checking the news too frequently along with the accompanied isolation may trigger an overwhelming feeling among people. These can be dealt with by staying connected with loved ones or developing routines that can help them stay occupied.
Social Distancing – It is essential to maintain social distancing for the safety of the person concerned as well as the people around them. There will be times whereby outdoor errands can’t be avoided. During these times, social distancing must be practiced.

Covid- 19 does come as a threat to the elderly. But the information we possess today shows progress; it means we know well enough to tackle the pandemic. But a major part of this starts at home with every individual, through choosing to get vaccinated and through choosing to wear a mask. That comes as a responsibility towards us and those around us, and in any means not intended to be neglected.

American Medical Clinic is an organization that aims at providing primary medical care in Tampa Bay. Their area of expertise over a span of many years makes them genuinely take care of the elderly. Headed by Dr. Hemanth.N. Shah with twenty years of experience and a team of diligent, sincere doctors, American Medical Clinic ensures timely care for patients making them optimistic during pandemic times.

Delta variant and Delta plus differences

November 23, 2020

The year 2020 has been a crisis-driven year due to the contagious coronavirus disease, which has taken the lives of millions of people. The disease-causing pandemic of COVID-19 was named after the year 2019, when it was initially reported for the first time in Wuhan, China. It has made the lives of each and every person come to a standstill. The coronavirus has gone through a journey of permutations and combinations to emerge into different variants, different strains affecting the lives of everyone around the world.

Here’s a timeline of the coronavirus evolution :

First emerged as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus. (SARS-CoV) in 2003. It caused an epidemic outbreak in China, spread to 4 other countries but was contained successfully. Next came the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It caused a lower respiratory tract infection. Scientists believe that it originated from camels and majorly affected the Arabian peninsular region. Finally emerged the novel coronavirus, the infamous SARS-CoV 2. As it was first detected in Wuhan, China, in the year 2019, it is named Coronavirus Disease -2019 abbreviated as COVID-19. It belongs to the Order Nidovirales, Family Coronaviridae, Genus Betacoronavirus, and Subgenus Sarbecovirus.

Variants of SARS CoV2 :

On collecting samples of the first infected patients and finding the viral genomes, researchers compared them with the viral genomes of bat and pangolin coronavirus strains. They identified the ancestral type as A and the derived dominant type as B type. The derived type further mutated into B.1, which is the main culprit of the pandemic, the ancestor of the majority of the global variants of concern labeled as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta by WHO in 2021. In the initial stage of the pandemic, there were very few mutant strains of SARS CoV2. As the infective rate increased, more and more strains started to arise, some more contagious than others.

Different strains:

Alpha strain B.1.1.7 – also called the United Kingdom strain has two types, and it was first found in the United Kingdom.
Beta strain B.1.351 first created an outbreak in South Africa in May 2020
Gamma strain P.1 emerged in November 2020 in Brazil.
Delta strain B.1.617.2 was first discovered in India in October 2020. In June 2021, reports of Delta variant with K417N appeared later termed as Delta plus variant.

Delta Variant versus Delta plus variant:

The delta variant, more known as the Indian variant, is described as one of the variants of concern by the WHO and belongs to the strain B.1.617.2. It has been the driving factor of the 2nd wave that emerged in India in October 2020. It was found to spread to 84 other countries and was much more contagious than the original strain. While it is still creating havoc on an international level, its other variation, the delta plus variant, has now stolen the attention of the health care heads worldwide. The delta plus variant, also called the AY.1 variant, is a blend of the delta variant ( Indian variant) and the beta variant ( Brazilian variant). Along with this, it contains mutations, including those of K417N, L452R and P871R.

For now, it is only found in some states of India.

Transmissibility -The delta variant has high transmissibility rates, thereby leading to the destructive 2nd wave of the coronavirus in India. However, the delta plus variant is reported to be 60% more transmissible than the delta variant, making it more formidable than the delta variant.
Symptoms –Symptoms of delta variant include gastrointestinal complaints (present mild cases or moderate cases), respiratory distress and severely impaired lung function that set it apart from previous variants of concerns, whereas the symptoms of delta plus variants are a combination of delta and beta variants -Long-lasting fever and persistent cough, lung involvement at initial stages, respiratory distress, pain in the chest, gastrointestinal signs like loss of appetite, stomach ache, diarrhoea, rashes and skin allergies, lacrimation, nausea and discoloration of fingers and toes. Some studies suggest that it could easily outperform the immune defense system and is known to bind strongly to the ACE-2 receptors on the lungs.
Vaccine effectiveness -Covishield, Pfizer, Covaxin and Sputnik continue to provide effectiveness against the delta variant. Yet, there is no solid proof of the same for delta plus variants since it hasn’t dispersed as much as the delta variant.

While the scientists are working on getting more information about the delta plus variant, the government is trying hard to curb the spread of this contagion. However, irrespective of the status of the viruses, the health care community is striving hard to fight this pestilence which not only came insidiously and uninvited but has also become a part of our existence. The fight is still ongoing and will not stop anytime soon as the opponent is a virus that can change its shades and forms to ambush us, but we have only one weapon: prevention. So keep your masks on and your spirits high; let’s fight the pandemic together.

Speed King

November 23, 2017

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School’s Out

November 23, 2017

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Born To Be Wild

November 23, 2017

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Wish You Were Here

November 23, 2017

Leverage agile frameworks to provide a robust synopsis for high level overviews. Iterative approaches to corporate strategy foster collaborative thinking to further the overall value proposition. Organically grow the holistic world view of disruptive innovation via workplace diversity and empowerment.

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50% funded Health Insurance for your family
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