Coronavirus: Centre warns against use of N95 masks with valved respirators

The health ministry on Monday warned against the “inappropriate use of N95 masks, especially those that contain respiratory valves”. Director General of Health Services Rajiv Garg encouraged people to use homemade face masks.

“It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask,” Garg said in a letter to all states and Union Territories. “In view of the above, I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N95 masks.”

In April, the Centre had issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth. The advisory stressed such face covers must be washed and cleaned each day. These handmade masks, however, are not meant for health workers or those working with or in contact with Covid-19 patients or those who are patients themselves as they are required to wear specified protective gear, the health ministry had said.

India’s total case count has crossed 11.55 lakh as of Tuesday and the toll is over 28,000. While more than 7 lakh people have recovered, India’s over over 4 lakh active cases.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

What Is the Best Material for a Reusable Face Mask? Here's What an Expert Says

Will Laundry Detergent Kill the Virus?

“If light easily filters through, the filtration is likely not as good,” says Dr. Segal. “If it blocks more of the light, it likely performs better.”

The study found that so-called “quilting cotton” was generally much better than the sort of printed fabric available in discount fabric stores. “It tends to have the characteristics we found most effective:  thicker, heavier yarn, higher thread count, tighter weave,” says Dr. Segal. So if you know any quilters, now’s the time to call in that favor.

If you do have to use lower-end cotton on the outside, Dr. Segal suggests using flannel as an inner layer. “Two-layer masks performed better than single layer masks,” he says. “This is probably because the small particles would have to find their way through both layers to pass through the mask. In our hands, cloth, single-layer masks did not perform well.”

Just as important as filtration is breathability. Remember, you need to wear this thing. “If you can’t comfortably breathe through the material for several minutes, it won’t make a good mask, no matter how effective it is in filtering,” adds Dr. Segal.

If you can get your hands on quilting cotton, great. If not, don’t panic. “The CDC recommendation is based on preventing the wearer from infecting others if they are infected and don’t know it, not so much on offering protection to the wearer,” says Dr. Segal. “Anything that prevents the spread of respiratory droplets is better than nothing—this is why we’re asked to cough or sneeze into our elbows.”

So if all you have is an old T-shirt or a bandana, you shouldn’t shy away from making a mask. And whatever material you use, make sure you wash it after each wear. “A homemade mask should be kept as clean as possible,” says Dr. Adalja. “Contaminating yourself with an infected mask is a real risk.”

Finally, never think a mask gives you immunity against the coronavirus. It’s crucial to continue to follow all other guidelines. “No mask is as good as social distancing and good hygiene,” advises Dr. Segal. “That’s still the number one way to protect yourself and others."

The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

ICMR Answers Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has Come up with an easy frequently asked questions (FAQ) to dispel myths and bring out facts about the Coronavirus. Here's a quick look.

Are patients with heart disease, diabetes or hypertension at increased risk to get coronavirus infection?

No, people with hypertension, diabetes or heart diseases are at no greater risk of getting the infection than anyone else.

Among people with above diseases is there an increased risk of severe illness or complications once infected?
The majority, which is 80 per cent of people diagnosed with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms of a respiratory infection (fever, sore throat, cough) and make a full recovery. Some of the people with diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases including Heart Failure may develop more severe symptoms and complications. Therefore, they require extra care.

Are people with diabetes more prone to Covid-19 ?
In general, you know that people with uncontrolled diabetes are at increased risk of all infections. People with diabetes are not at higher risk for acquiring the infection, but some individuals are prone to more severe disease and poorer outcomes once infected.

Hence, follow your diet and exercise routine (to the extent possible), take your medications regularly and test your sugar levels frequently so as to keep your diabetes under control. When diabetic patients become sick, they may require frequent monitoring of blood glucose and adjustment of drugs including insulin, small frequent meals and adequate fluids.

What about reports about BP medications increasing severity of COVID-19 ?
After review of the available information the consensus of various scientific societies and expert group of cardiologists is that currently there is no evidence that the two group of drugs- ACE inhibitors (For instance, Ramipril, Enalapril and so on) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (Namely, Losartan, Telmisartan and so on) increase the susceptibility or severity of COVID-19.

These drugs are very effective for heart failure by supporting your heart function, and controlling high blood pressure. It may be harmful to stop these medications by yourself. This can worsen your heart condition.

What can I take pain or fever?
Some type of painkillers like Ibuprofen is found to worsen the COVID-19. Such drugs are known to be harmful to heart failure patients and may increase your risk of kidney damage. Avoid NSAIDs or take them only when prescribed by your doctor. Paracetamol is one of the safest pain killers to use if needed.

What should I do if I get symptoms suggestive of COVID-19?
In case you get fever, cough, muscle pain without shortness of breath, call your doctor and seek advice on phone. You need to stay at home (at least for 14 days) and avoid close contact with other family members and maintain hand hygiene and correctly wear a medical mask. If there is shortness of breath or worsening symptoms like excessive fatigue call or visit a doctor.

But, at the end of the end it's all about prevention rather than cure. That leads to the final question.

What should you do to prevent COVID- 19?
Covid-19 is spread by coughs and sneezes, through what are called droplets ( tiny amount saliva or other secretions expressed through cough/sneezing or even after a hearty laugh) and through touch. When you touch an object that has the virus particles on it, the virus may get onto hands and when one touches his or her face, they may get infected.

Virus particles can persist upto 3 days and therefore it is important to maintain hygiene of ones surroundings. "Wash the rooms, tables and other surfaces with floor cleaners or even simple soap solution and sanitize your hands with hand sanitizers or by washing when you touch unknown or suspicious surfaces," instructs the ICMR.

There are at least 606 confirmed coronavirus cases in India as of Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. Of this, 553 are active COVID19 cases, 42 patients have recovered and discharged from the hospital and 10 people have lost their lives. The active cases include 563 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals.

India has already issued a 21 days nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.

This is only for your information, please consult your doctor before you take any medication, never take medicines on your own.
Best wishes to all, pray for everyone's good health and safety in this grave time.

Breakthrough in chikungunya treatment may come soon

In a move that could lead to a breakthrough in combating chikungunya,, the researchers have claimed to have discovered the anti-viral potential of a drug piperazine — used for worm infections. Medicine piperazine offers a new perspective for therapeutic intervention, thereby inhibiting the spread of virus, say researchers. Currently, there is no vaccine or anti-viral drug available in the market for the cure of chikungunya. The treatment has been focused on relieving the symptoms associated with the virus infection. The researchers spoke of the potential of piperazine as a pharmacotherapeutic agent and how binding these molecules to the hydrophobic pocket of capsid protein, present in the Chikungunya virus, offers a new perspective for therapeutic intervention, thereby inhibiting the spread of the virus.

Piperazine is commonly used in deworming treatments against roundworm and pinworm. “Developing a new antiviral drug molecule can take over a decade and that is the reason why we are looking at repositioning existing approved drugs and testing these to see if they can inhibit or kill pathogenic viruses,” said a researcher. Research has shown that piperazine, which is available in the market, is successful in curbing the spread and replication of the chikungunya virus in a lab setting. “We are currently testing the molecule on animals and hope to take this to clinical trials soon,” said a researcher. Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

The researchers said they found that piperazine would bind itself well with the hydrophobic pocket on the alphavirus capsid protein.  “This pocket is key to the replication of the virus and its spread inside a host. This inhibition of this pocket prevents budding and spread of the virus and can help in treating the virus effectively using existing drugs,” said they said.

 THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                           

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS
HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM