Over 21% may get infected with COVID 19 if you stay in close contact for two weeks

Over 21% may get infected with COVID 19 if you stay in close contact for two weeks

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA

20^th Feb: Coronavirus continues to spread in China, its growth appears to be slowing: On Wednesday, for the second straight day, the authorities reported fewer than 2,000 new cases. But cases outside China continue to rise including deaths.  

Shortly after reporting its first two coronavirus cases, Iran reported two deaths. Deaths in mainland China reached 2,004, while Hong Kong reported a second death.

79 new cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. So far, a total of 621 infected people were found among 3,011 passengers and crew members tested (21% infection rate) out of 3,711 total people on the ship.

So, “It could be unwise for anybody in China, or outside China, to be complacent that this is coming under control at this point in time,” said the chief of virology at the University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Iwata, the infectious disease expert, said he had visited the ship with the goal of advising public health officials on how to prevent the further spread of infection. He expressed astonishment at what he had seen and took to YouTube to share his findings. Health ministry officials, crew members and psychiatrists mingled and ate together, Dr. Iwata said, with some in full protective gear and others not — a violation of ordinary procedures. He said that the Japanese authorities had taken only “half measures” and “did not protect” the 3,700 passengers and crew members on the ship.

So, the take home message is the virus is highly infectious and can infect over r 20% of cases if they live together without proper precautions. Its not only air droplet infection but also passes thorough the contact from the surfaces.

Possible future Bollywood or Hollywood Movies

1.   Diamond Princes

2.   COVID Airlift

3.   Wuhan

4.    Liu Zhiming, director of the Wuchang hospital 

5.    Li Wenliang, The whistle blower

Dr KK Answers: What not to do in snake poisoning?

In the monsoon season, snake bites are common. Most of these bites are by non-poisonous snakes. In a country like India, most people are misled by Bollywood movies showing a typical hero saving the heroine by giving an incising and then sucking the poison. This is what should not be done.

Methods such as incision, oral sucking, mechanical sucking devices, Cryo Therapy, surgery and electric shock therapies have been widely used but are medically not recommended.

 A common misconception shown in the movies is that one should apply tourniquet, suck out the poison and spit it out. Medically, this approach is strongly discouraged as it can damage the nerves, tendons, blood vessels and lead to infections.

Venom removed by suction is minimal and clinically does not prevent snake bite complications. Many studies have shown that mechanical suction device reduces the total body venom burden only by 2%.

 The first aid involves removing the patient from the vicinity   of the snake. Keep patient warm, rested and reassured. The wound should be cleaned with soap and water. One should not give drugs and alcohol as it may confound with clinical assessment. Efforts should be made to identify the snake and the patient should be transported to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible.

[About the author:  Dr K K Aggarwal is Padmashri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee, President Heart Care Foundation of India, Dean Board of Medical Education Moolchand Medcity, Sr Physician & Cardiologist, Visiting professor Clinical Research DIPSAR, Past President Delhi Medical Association, Past Academic and Research Wing Head IMA, Chairman Ethics Committee Delhi Medical Council.  ]