Covid-19 Indian Variant
Covid-19 Indian Variant

The latest variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus, dubbed B.1.617, was first found in India and then in other countries around the world. It is still unclear how dangerous it is, but The ‘Indian strain’ of the coronavirus carries higher transmissibility similar to the UK variant, but there is little evidence so far of it being more lethal than the original virus, experts have said.

The number of new coronavirus infections has continued to rise sharply in India.  Several countries, including Germany, have pledged assistance.

It’s too early to say whether the new variant of the virus, B.1.617, is responsible for the rapid increase in infections, but it is being treated as a possible cause.

 

What role do virus variants play?

In many other cases and countries, new variants have played a role when infections jumped.

Some experts are also concerned that the Indian variant may be turning into a type of “super mutation” that will continue to spread across the world.

And the Indian variant has spread to other countries. Health authorities have detected variant B.1.617 in Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Australia and Singapore. The British health ministry has also reported several dozen cases.

Why could the Indian variant become dangerous?

The Indian variant consists of two mutations on the spike protein of the virus.

A spike protein allows a virus to enter the body and infect it. The virus can then spread quickly through the body, if it escapes any antibodies in the immune system or those developed as a result of a vaccine — or, indeed, if there aren’t any antibodies.

Experts say there is a risk that people who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection, or those who have been vaccinated, may not be as resilient against this new variant as they may be against other forms of the virus.

What’s special about the Indian variant?
The mutations found in the Indian variant are identified as E484Q and L452 and are not entirely new. E484Q is similar to E484K —a mutation seen in the South African variant, B.1.353, and in the Brazilian variant, P1.

In some cases, the Indian mutations were detected in the British variant, B.1.1.7.

L452R is detected in a Californian variant of the virus, B.1.429. The same was found in a variant in Germany.

 

New symptoms of the Covid-19 second wave infection

India is currently going through the second wave of COVID-19 and the virus is said to be more infectious than it was previously. It is important for you to be aware of the newest symptoms of COVID-19 to be able to identify them, take timely treatment and avoid complications.
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing (dyspnea), is one of the early symptoms of coronavirus, predominantly seen in infected patients during the second wave of COVID-19.
Although the intensity of breathlessness can vary among individuals, this symptom leaves most patients with a feeling of tightness of the chest, resulting in the constant gasping of air, every few seconds.

Studies suggest that breathing difficulties are commonly seen in the second wave of COVID-19 patients, right at the onset of the infection. The infection causes a decrease in oxygen saturation (SpO2 levels) which may result in lung damage and in some cases, even multiple organ failure.
Besides this, other newer symptoms of the second wave of COVID-19 infection, that you must be aware of include:

1. Gastrointestinal tract infections: Your GI tract comprises the main organs of digestion, including the mouth, food pipe, stomach/gut, small and large intestine. Any disturbances in your GI system can wear down your immunity and hamper overall health. Symptoms of GI tract infections associated with COVID-19 include loss of hunger, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loose stools.

2. Hearing loss: Hearing loss is one of the symptoms in the second wave of COVID-19 infection. It may range from mild, moderate to severe which results in a sudden hearing loss, impaired hearing, or ringing sound in your ears (tinnitus). This starts early in the first week of infection and resolves over a period of time.

3. Extreme lethargy and weakness: Extreme weakness and lethargy have been reported as one of the early symptoms of the COVID-19 infection, more so during the second wave.
Once your body identifies the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) as an invader, it initiates the immune response to fight the virus, and this can result in the infected person feeling tired and weak.

4. Pink eye or conjunctivitis: Pink eye is an infection of the eye which results in the swelling of the outer transparent membrane (called the conjunctiva) of your eyelid and eyeball.
Common symptoms include itching, redness, and tearing of the eyes, which results in puffy or watery eyes.
Certain studies have explored the link between COVID-19 and ophthalmological (relating to the eye) symptoms. The COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted through infected droplets in the air when someone sneezes, speaks or coughs. You can also pick the virus from infected surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, increasing the probability of infections of the eye, along with the nose and mouth.
The new strains of the novel coronavirus in India are known to infect the conjunctiva. Unlike normal conjunctivitis, which usually affects both your eyes, conjunctivitis with COVID-19 is seen predominantly in one eye. It may be accompanied by constant eye irritation and sensitivity to light.

5. Dry mouth or not enough saliva: Saliva is the watery, frothy substance produced in your mouth that helps in digestion and keeps your teeth and mouth moist and healthy. When sufficient saliva is not produced by the concerned glands (salivary glands), it leads to a condition called dry mouth, which can lead to tooth and gum diseases and make you susceptible to infections. Dry mouth is now a common and initial symptom of COVID-19. Since the oral cavity (mouth) is a potential entry point for the novel coronavirus, it can attack the tissues and mucus lining your oral cavity, resulting in decreased saliva production and thus, dry mouth. Like the dry mouth, other oral manifestations of the coronavirus infection could be a dry tongue, changes in the colour and texture of your tongue, sores or blisters, and difficulty in eating.

6. Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea or loose watery stools is one of the widespread symptoms seen in COVID-19 patients during the second wave. Reports suggest most individuals affected with COVID-19 complained of persistent diarrhoea for 1 to 14 days, with an average duration of 5 days. Since diarrhoea is not usually thought to be a symptom of COVID-19 and can be a result of other digestive issues, there is a delay in getting tested for COVID-19 and hence, a delay in the identification of potential COVID-19 positive patients.

7. Headache: Sudden headaches can be a symptom of COVID-19. A normal headache that continues for a long time and does not subside with painkillers, is being reported as one of the newer symptoms seen during the second COVID-19 wave.

8. Skin rashes: Recent studies have highlighted skin rashes as a new symptom of COVID-19. Patients have reported rashes on their hands and feet, which are usually called acral rashes. Studies suggest that these rashes can develop as a result of the immunological response to the virus.

If you develop any of the above symptoms, do not panic. It is advisable to isolate yourself from other family members and get yourself checked for COVID-19, after consulting your doctor.
Additionally, if you have difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest or chest pain, pale or blue-coloured skin, a sudden loss of speech or movement, or new confusion, seek medical care immediately.

 

 

 

How to care Covid 19 patient at home?

There are a number of precautions that can prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other people in the house:

The ill person should stay in a separate room. If this is not possible, then keep at least a 1-metre distance from them. The sick person and anyone else in the same room should wear a medical mask.
Provide good ventilation in the room of the ill person and shared spaces, and open windows if possible and safe to do so. See our Q&A on ventilation.
The ill person should wear a medical mask as much as possible, in particular when not alone in the room and when at least a 1-metre distance from others cannot be maintained.
Visitors should not be allowed in the home.
Limit the number of caregivers to one person with no underlying conditions, if possible.
Caregivers and household members should wear a medical mask while in the same room with an ill person, not touch their mask or face during use, discard the mask after leaving the room, and wash their hands afterward.
The ill person should have dedicated dishes, cups, eating utensils, towels and bed linens. They should be washed with soap and water, and not shared.
Frequently touched surfaces by the ill person should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily.
Everyone in the household should wash their hands with soap and water regularly, especially:
after coughing or sneezing
before during and after you prepare food
before eating
after using the toilet
before and after caring for the ill person
when hands are visibly dirty
A cough or sneeze should be covered with a flexed elbow or a disposable tissue that is discarded immediately after use. The waste from the ill person should be packed in strong closed bags before disposal.

How long should people with COVID-19 stay at home and in isolation?

People with COVID-19 who are cared for at home should stay in isolation until they are no longer able to transmit the virus to others:

Those with symptoms should stay isolated for a minimum of 10 days after the first day they developed symptoms, plus another 3 days after the end of symptoms – when they are without fever and without respiratory symptoms.
People without symptoms should stay isolated for a minimum of 10 days after testing positive.

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