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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
As Covid-19 active cases rise above 3300, know early warning signs and precautions to take
India has seen a rise in Covid-19 cases, with the total count reaching 3,395, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday, May 31. Kerala currently tops the list with 1,336 active cases. Between Friday and Saturday, 685 new Covid-19-positive cases were recorded, along with four deaths – one each from Karnataka, Delhi, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh. Also read | No cause for worry, but precautions must: Karnataka Minister on Covid spike On May 29, Karnataka reported its fourth Covid-related death, involving a 63-year-old man with comorbidities who had been admitted to a private hospital on May 29. As concerns around a resurgence of Covid-19 grow, it's important to stay informed about the symptoms and safety measures to protect yourself and those around you. In a May 20 interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Subhashree Samantaray, associate consultant – infectious diseases, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, highlighted key symptoms to watch for: 'While most individuals recover with home care, those with underlying health conditions or immunosuppression may experience worsening symptoms,' she added. Dr Samantaray and Dr Nikhil Modi, senior consultant – respiratory and critical care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, emphasised the following safety guidelines: 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.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Covid-19 cases spike in India, Singapore and parts of Asia: Is it safe to travel? Here's what doctors advise
Covid-19 cases are showing a resurgence in Asian countries and cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore. India is also seeing a rise in cases, with top-effected states Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu leading the tally. The total number of active cases in India is 257 as of May 19, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Covid-19 dashboard. Since May 12, Kerala reported 69 new cases, Maharashtra had 44, while Tamil Nadu added 34 new cases. Also read | Covid-19 cases rising, situation in India 'under control': 5 things we know about the fresh surge India remains at risk due to global travel and large population density. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Subhashree Samantaray, associate consultant, infectious diseases, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar and Dr Nikhil Modi, senior consultant, respiratory and critical care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals shared precautions to follow given the current situation and everything else you need to know. Dr Samantaray said, 'A new wave of Covid-19, circulating in southeast Asia with its epicentre in Singapore, has been in the news for the last few days. Along with Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok are also reporting a sudden rise in cases... such a peak can be due to the waning population immunity, non-compliance with the annual vaccination protocol, and the emergence of new sub-variants.' She added, 'According to health authorities, this fresh wave is due to a new Omicron subvariant- LF.7 and NB.1.8, both subvariants of the JN.1 lineage, which was responsible for the last major global wave affecting the United States and parts of Europe in 2024. Even though this variant is not officially labelled as a variant of concern by WHO, the rapid spreading potential of the strain compared to previous variants has prompted Governments to make their surveillance and case-finding systems more stringent.' Speaking about the rise in Covid-19 cases in India and other Asian countries recently, Dr Modi said, 'This is mostly because of a new version of the virus called the JN.1 variant. While this version spreads more easily, it is not causing more serious illness than before.' According to Dr Samantaray, symptoms in the ongoing outbreak are reported mainly as 'persistent cough, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, conjunctivitis, and sometimes confusion'. She said, 'While most are recovering with home care, a few with risk factors may have worsening symptoms because of their underlying immunosuppressed status.' Stressing there's 'no need for panic' amid rising Covid-19 cases in India, Dr Modi said, 'People who catch it are showing common symptoms like mild fever, sore throat, runny nose, tiredness, and sometimes cough. A few people may also feel sick in the stomach or lose their appetite. Most people are getting better at home within a few days.' He added, 'Hospitals are not seeing a big increase in serious cases. There hasn't been a rise in people needing oxygen or being admitted to the ICU. Even people with other health issues are recovering with basic medicines like paracetamol, rest, and fluids. There's no need for panic.' Considering such a scenario, should you delay non-urgent travel? Yes. Dr Modi said, 'If you are planning to travel and are generally healthy, it is safe to do so. Just follow simple safety steps — like washing your hands, avoiding very crowded places, and wearing a mask in closed spaces if needed. People who are older or have health problems like diabetes, heart disease, or breathing trouble should be more careful. They may want to delay travel if it's not urgent.' Dr Samantaray added, 'It is advisable to restrict travel to these affected areas would be a wise call unless someone is vaccinated with the Covid-19 booster before planning to travel. What is peculiar about the surge is the season; while it's expected to witness a peak in winters, this variant has surged in summers, proving the sustainability of the virus in any season.' Dr Samantaray said, 'Considering the fast-spreading capability of the strain, it is advisable to vaccinate all the individuals above six months of age, prioritising the high-risk groups, including the elderly ( above 60 years), those with diabetes or any chronic conditions, and also the health care and other front-line workers. As the Covid-19 vaccine available has JN.1 strain as its base formulation, it is expected to offer broader coverage against the circulating LF.7 and NB.1.8 strains, which are nothing but the variants of the latter.' According to Dr Modi, 'vaccines are still helpful'. He said, 'Even though this new variant can partly escape the protection from earlier infection or vaccines, the vaccines are still doing a good job of preventing serious illness. If it has been more than six months since your last dose and you are in a high-risk group, it's a good idea to check with a doctor about getting a booster shot. In short, the virus is behaving more like the seasonal flu now. There is no reason to worry, but we should all stay alert, take care of our health, and protect those who are more likely to fall seriously ill.' It is advisable to be vigilant about the symptoms that one may develop after acquiring the infection, and also seek medical attention if required, Dr Samantaray added. 'But what is more important is to follow social distancing, stringent hand hygiene, and using face masks and other precautions in crowds, along with vaccination, to prevent the spread of this rapidly spreading variant,' she said. 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.
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
New study finds repeated Covid-19 vaccines are safe for your metabolism
"Booster Covid-19 shot? Is that really okay for my body?" If that thought has crossed your mind, you are not alone. Many of us have quietly wondered what these repeated vaccines did inside us. And now, a new study might just put our minds at ease. Researchers from Murdoch University in Australia conducted a 16-month-long study tracking how repeated Covid-19 vaccinations like the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines affect the body — not just in terms of immune response, but also deeper changes in inflammation and metabolism. The study, titled Longitudinal study on immunologic, lipoproteomic, and inflammatory responses indicates the safety of sequential Covid-19 vaccination, was recently published in the J ournal of Molecular Medicine. Their conclusion? No lasting side effects on the body's internal systems. The researchers measured antibodies and checked over 130 health markers, including immune proteins (cytokines), cholesterol patterns, and small molecules in the blood. These tell us a lot about how the body is functioning behind the scenes. They followed 33 healthy adults who received two to four doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccine. Blood samples were taken before and after each shot, and then followed up for over a year. 'The results showed no meaningful impact on key health indicators, including inflammatory markers, cardiovascular risk factors, and molecules involved in energy metabolism. Our findings provide insights into the safety of repeated Covid-19 vaccinations,' the study found. Covid vaccine side effects show no link to long-term metabolic harm While most participants reported mild side effects like a sore arm or feeling tired for a day or two, the researchers found no long-term changes in their metabolism. Even short-term fluctuations, like a temporary rise in a chemical called glutamic acid, returned to normal quickly. Dr Subhashree Samantaray, Associate Consultant – Infectious Diseases at Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, clarifies, "The slight increase in glutamic acid after the third vaccine dose is not of medical concern. The study also tracked the glutamine to glutamate ratio — a more valid marker of metabolic stress — and found it holding steady. This balance indicates that the metabolic system kept everything well-regulated. These changes are routine and do not signal any long-term risks or dysfunction." Interestingly, over 95 per cent of the samples from vaccinated people resembled those of completely healthy, uninfected individuals. Only a small fraction (5 per cent) resembled profiles seen in people with mild Covid-19 — mostly due to actual virus exposure, not the vaccine. How repeated Covid vaccinations affect immune response and inflammation A spike in a protein called IP10, which plays a role in immune responses, was seen briefly after the third shot. But this, too, was well within normal limits and quickly subsided. Dr Samantaray explains why this isn't a concern, "A temporary elevation in cytokines such as IP10 is exactly what the body should be doing to fend off a first-encountered infection. It's a controlled, transient immune response that returned to baseline in a few days — well within the healthy range. There was no indication of prolonged inflammation or immune abnormalities." Why long-term Covid vaccine safety studies still matter Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, over 775 million cases and 7 million deaths have been recorded worldwide. While most patients have recovered, many face lasting effects. Since December 2020, over 13.6 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered. Vaccination has sharply reduced hospitalisations, deaths, and long Covid risk — though rare severe side effects such as inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (encephalomyelitis), and inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), have emerged. The withdrawal of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from the market highlights the need for continued research into the immunological, inflammatory, and metabolic effects of Covid-19 vaccines, both in the short and long term. 'Our findings show that repeated vaccination supports strong immunity without burdening the body's metabolic or inflammatory systems,' said the authors of the study.
