Latest news with #SushilaKataria
India Today
03-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Cold or Covid? Doctors answer when is the right time to get tested
As of June 3, India has reported 4,026 active Covid-19 cases, according to the Health Ministry. While most cases are presenting mild symptoms, health experts have cautioned amid a rise in infections driven by newer and more transmissible current uptick in cases is largely attributed to NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of the Omicron-descended JN.1 variant, along with the LF.7 variants are noted for their high transmissibility, though they continue to cause mostly mild illness, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Fatalities recorded in states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have all involved individuals with underlying health DO YOU NEED A COVID TEST?NB.1.8.1, which has caused spikes in hospitalisations in China and has been detected in the US, presents with symptoms resembling seasonal include fever, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, runny nose, headache, and loss of appetite. Unlike earlier Covid waves, loss of taste and smell aren't being Sushila Kataria, internal medicine and public health expert at Medanta, said that most patients are experiencing mild to high-grade fever, throat pain, nasal congestion, sputum, and marked fatigue. New variants are noted for their high transmissibility, though they continue to cause mostly mild illness, ICMR. () advertisementWith Covid and flu cases both rising, distinguishing between the two has become challenging. Doctors have stressed that testing remains an important tool, especially for certain groups."If someone is experiencing cough, cold, or fever, they should test for Covid-19. Hospitalised patients with pneumonia must also be tested," Dr. Kataria told explained that while home antigen tests are convenient, their accuracy can vary. "A positive test confirms Covid, but a negative one doesn't rule it out. In such cases, respiratory precautions and self-isolation should continue until symptoms subside," said Dr. more people are testing at home rather than visiting hospitals. "A lot of the home antigen tests we're seeing are coming back positive," she Vikas Maurya, pulmonologist at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, observed that many individuals in the outpatient department (OPD) are reporting persistent cough and fever lasting more than two days, alongside bronchitis-like breathlessness. More people are testing at home rather than visiting hospitals. () "Hospitalisations are happening, but most patients recover and are discharged within a week," he he expressed concern over testing hesitancy. "Even when I prescribe RT-PCR tests, only about three out of five patients follow through," he told Maurya added that the typical symptom duration for current cases is around 3–4 days. "We've had one patient on a ventilator who is now improving. But overall, severe cases remain mild," he doctors urged that if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, particularly fever, cough, or sore throat, one can get tested for Covid-19, especially if you are elderly, have pre-existing conditions, or are in close contact with vulnerable the current variants are not causing widespread severe illness, their high transmissibility makes early detection and isolation crucial in preventing further InMust Watch
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Mumbai sees more than 100 COVID cases: Is a new pandemic just around the corner?
The news of a fresh spike in COVID-19 cases from Mumbai and a few other cities might bring back a strange sense of déjà vu, those initial anxious days of the pandemic, the masks, the isolation, and the uncertain headlines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But is this new rise in numbers a sign of something bigger? Or is it just a passing ripple in the larger health landscape? Here is all we need to know about what's happening, what it means, and whether this moment calls for fear, caution, or just a gentle reminder to stay aware. A sharp rise in Mumbai: Should this be a wake-up call? In May alone, Mumbai recorded 95 COVID-19 cases: a significant jump considering only 106 cases were reported in Maharashtra since January. Sixteen people are currently hospitalised. While this number may not sound alarming compared to previous waves, it marks a clear shift in the virus's quiet behaviour over the past year. Health workers have been moved from one hospital to another to prevent potential transmission, and tests are being conducted on people showing symptoms of influenza-like illness. This isn't just a random uptick — it's a cluster. And clusters, as history has shown, often precede waves. (Pic courtesy: iStock) What's happening beyond Mumbai? Chennai is seeing a rise too. Doctors there are reporting a shift — fevers that were earlier assumed to be the flu are now turning out to be COVID-19. In fact, some surgeries like heart procedures and organ transplants have been postponed as a preventive measure. Meanwhile, Gujarat, Karnataka, and even Puducherry have started reporting small but noticeable spikes. In Ahmedabad, seven new cases were detected in just one day — a sharp jump from its usual count of just one case a month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Even cities with no active cases, like Pune, are in alert mode. Fifty hospital beds have been set aside. That says something: not panic, but readiness. While the current COVID-19 cases in India appear to be linked to the JN1 variant of Omicron, which has been circulating for some time, we must remain vigilant. Although hospitalizations haven't risen here yet, trends in countries like Singapore remind us not to be complacent. All age groups could be affected, with extremes of age and those with comorbidities at higher risk. It is crucial for authorities to step up surveillance and for hospitals to resume testing for COVID-19 in respiratory tract infections. Individuals must follow hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. At present, there are no specific booster guidelines from Indian authorities, and we await further directives from ICMR. While most waves tend to pass without severe outcomes, we must stay cautious, monitor trends, and be prepared for any unexpected developments. Dr. Sushila Kataria, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram It's important to separate the numbers from the narratives. Yes, cases are increasing. But no, this isn't 2020 all over again. The World Health Organization declared the global COVID-19 emergency over in May 2023. Since then, the virus has become endemic — meaning it still exists, but behaves more like the flu, with seasonal flare-ups. Covid-19: Simple way of making a mask at home What's happening now may not be the start of a new pandemic, but rather a localised surge, influenced by seasonal changes, immunity dips, or new variants. And while the word 'new variant' might stir up fear, most of these strains remain mild — especially in people who are vaccinated.
