COVID cases: Know about the daily wellness routine to stay prepared and healthy
HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand the latest COVID-19 developments about the emerging variant, along with practical ways to stay prepared.
Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, former Director General of ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research, who played a central role in managing the COVID-19 response in India, shared with HT Lifestyle about one of the emerging variants and what it means.
'The emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution. XFG carries mutations which may enhance its ability to bind to human cells and bypass immune defences. Early reports suggest that the variant has high immune escape potential, but there is no current evidence to indicate increased severity."
Amid rising COVID-19 cases and concerns over the new XFG variant, Dr Bhargava assured about India's diagnostic infrastructure. He said, "However, as the virus adapts, so has India's diagnostic infrastructure adapted since the very first wave. RT-PCR remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 diagnostics, and the widespread deployment of rapid molecular platforms like Truenat puts India in a strong position to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly, even in remote and resource-limited settings. Point-of-care testing played a crucial role during the pandemic then, and it continues to be a frontline tool for detecting emerging variants like XFG. Vigilance is critical now, and do not panic. As we've done in the past, we should continue testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded spaces, and staying up to date with vaccinations.'
Now that you are aware of the emerging XFG variant and what it means, let's focus on staying healthy and building immunity. Dr Bharesh Dedhia, Consultant, Intensive Care at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Khar, shared a guide for a daily wellness routine:
ALSO READ: COVID spiking again: Top 6 nutrients you need to include in your diet for better immunity
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Can menopause lead to weight gain? Gynecologist busts this and 6 other myths
Menopause refers to the end of the reproductive years of a woman, usually marked by consecutive 12 months of no menstruation. While this is a natural biological condition, it is often shrouded in myths and misconceptions. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Astha Dayal, director of obstetrics and gynecology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram said, 'Knowing the facts can empower women to welcome this phase with optimism and sound health choices.' Also read | Menopause and hormonal changes: Doctor shares tips to manage symptoms naturally Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life. The gynecologist further busted several myths about menopause. Myth 1: Menopause occurs overnight Fact: Menopause is not a sudden occurrence, but a gradual process often initiated by perimenopause, which takes several years. Hormone levels are unsteady during this time, causing irregular periods before they completely cease. Myth 2: Only older women experience menopause Fact: Although the mean age is 45–55, a few women also go through early menopause because of genetics, medical interventions, or illness. Knowledge is the key to timely intervention and symptom management. Myth 3: Menopause always leads to severe symptoms Fact: Not all women suffer from extreme hot flashes, mood changes, or sleeplessness. Symptoms are often mild for most and may be managed with lifestyle modifications, eating habits, and sometimes medication. Menopause does not occur overnight.(Shutterstock) Myth 4: Menopause marks the end of sex Fact: While hormonal changes do impact libido and vaginal health, these can be corrected through open discussion with your physician, lubricants, hormone therapy, or other medical treatments. Most women have rich and satisfying relationships after menopause. Also read | Menopause coach shares 6 tips to improve sleep during menopause; says eat well, reduce screen time and stay cool Myth 5: Weight gain is automatic Fact: Hormonal shifts can change fat distribution, but menopause itself won't automatically lead to weight gain. Eating healthily, exercising regularly, and sleeping well contribute much more towards keeping a healthy weight. Myth 6: You can't get pregnant after 40 Fact: As long as you haven't been 12 months without your period, you are still able to get pregnant. You might still need to use birth control during perimenopause if you do not want to get pregnant. Myth 7: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is dangerous for everyone Fact: HRT can be safe and effective for many women when prescribed after a thorough evaluation. It's important to discuss the benefits and risks with your gynecologist to determine what's best for you. Also read | Doctor shares 6 ways women can take care of their mental health during menopause Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
AIIMS-led study finds infections contracted in hospital due to catheter use prevalent across India
New Delhi: Bloodstream infections acquired during a hospital stay due to the use of a catheter are prevalent across ICUs in India and are often caused by microbes having a high level of antibiotic resistance, according to a study led by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Antibiotic resistance -- in which antibiotic drugs are rendered ineffective because disease-causing microbes have become immune to them -- can extend one's hospital stay and treatment costs, adding stress to a public healthcare system. Estimates published in The Lancet Global Health journal show that on average, around nine bloodstream infection events occur every 1,000 days that a central line -- a catheter inserted in a patient's large vein instead of an intravenous line -- was in place in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Indian hospitals. 'Central line-associated bloodstream infections', or CLABSI, are preventable infections -- often acquired from a hospital environment -- and significantly contribute to illness and death in low- and middle-income countries, including India. The researchers said that tracking rates of bloodstream infections in ICUs can help countries develop preventive measures suited to a healthcare system. However, setting up a surveillance that systematically tracks infections due to catheter use or other hospital-acquired infections calls for a significant amount of resources and is a challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including India, they said. The team analysed data from 200 intensive care units received by the Indian Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) surveillance network from 54 hospitals across the country over a period of seven years. "During the surveillance period from May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2024, 8,629 laboratory-confirmed CLABSI events, 3,054,124 patient-days and 977,052 central line-days were recorded. The overall pooled CLABSI rate was 8.83 per 1,000 central line-days," the authors wrote. Highest rates of bloodstream infections linked to central line catheter use were seen to occur during 2020-21, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, which the researchers said may be due to overwhelmed ICUs, staff shortage and compromised infection prevention measures. The study -- first large-scale observational one, providing a standardised surveillance report of CLABSI in India -- provides a valuable opportunity for a quality improvement-based approach for the reduction of CLABSI, the authors said.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
No new COVID-19 case reported in Maharashtra
Mumbai: No new COVID-19 case has come to light in Maharashtra since last week, the state public health department said on Tuesday. The state has recorded a total of 2,763 COVID-19 patients and 44 deaths since January this year, Of the total 44 patients succumbing to the ailment, 43 were suffering with comorbidities and one was suffering from another disease. The health department said it has conducted 46,507 COVID-19 tests across the state since January 1, adding that 2,699 patients have recovered to date. Mumbai has reported 1,111 COVID-19 cases since January, including 551 in June, 102 in July, and 17 in August so far. PTI>
