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When Should You Get Tested For COVID-19 During The Second Wave?

tested for COVID-19

With the unprecedented number of fatalities reported during the last three weeks and the overall nationwide positivity rate hovering above 20%, an obvious question that comes to the mind is- when should you get tested for Covid-19?

According to the updated advisory issued by ICMR on 04 May 21, the use of RT PCR has been optimised considering the extra load on the testing centres. ICMR has indicated that the total national daily capacity is close to 15 lakh tests which includes tests done in 2506 molecular testing laboratories across the country. Considering the limited number of tests that can be done, the advisory recommends the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for quick detection, isolation and initiation of treatment for curbing transmission.

This test has a short turn-around time of 15-30 minutes and hence, has a huge advantage of early detection of covid cases and offers an opportunity for quick isolation and treatment, and eventually curb the transmission of the disease. 

When Should You Go For A RAT Test? 

  1. If you have been a primary contact of a covid positive person, you should isolate yourself for 7 days and go for a RAT (Rapid antigen test) if you have symptoms such as fever with/without cough, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, body pain, recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue and diarrhea.
  2. In case you don’t have any of the above symptoms, but were a primary contact, you should still go for a RAT test immediately. In case the RAT test is positive, the advisory recommends that RT PCR is not to be conducted and the individual is to follow home isolation and treatment. However, in case the RAT is negative for symptomatic patients, then RT PCR is to be conducted. 

The advisory has been essentially issued to reduce the load on the testing labs with the following additional conditions:

  • If an individual is tested positive in RAT/RT PCR, the repeat confirmatory test is not to be done.
  • RT PCR test should not be done on discharge from hospital for COVID recovered patients.
  • RT PCR test should not be mandatory for any interstate/ domestic travel for healthy individuals.
  • Interstate travel to be avoided by symptomatic individuals (Covid related or flu like symptoms)
  • Asymptomatic individuals must follow laid down COVID appropriate behaviour.

Hope this article clears your doubts about the recent testing protocol and when to get tested for COVID-19. For more detailed information, you can visit the ICMR website. 

To get more COVID-related information, tips on building immunity or isolating safely at home, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. 

For further guidance, subscribe to GOQii and get in touch with your GOQii Coach here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu 

Stay safe, stay healthy and #BeTheForce 

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Build Your Immunity With These Antiviral Foods

build immunity with antiviral foodsViral infections are responsible for global morbidity rates across the world. With the second wave of COVID-19 hitting the country hard, It has become an absolute necessity to focus on the treatment as well as prevention of the deadly virus. While the epidemic has already claimed more than 200,000 lives in the country, people are more aware of the immediate need to take precautions than ever before by focusing more on building one’s immunity as well as overall health. One of the key ingredients for good immunity is eating lots of antiviral foods. 

Top Antiviral Foods For Good Immunity 

  • Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C, B complex, Beta carotene and plant cyclotides. It reduces the risk of infection and reinfection and protects the respiratory system. So the intake of vegetables and fruits are highly recommended as a part of a balanced diet. Plant cyclotides prevent the T-cells malfunction as well. Citrus fruits like lemon, orange, mosambi are very rich in Vitamin C content. They boost immunity. All the fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C. So, it is recommended to include at least 2 portions of fruits and 3 portions of vegetables in your daily diet. Green leafy vegetables provide much more vitamin C than Normal vegetables. Vitamin C also protects our body from oxidative stress.
  • Spices and Herbs: Garlic, tulsi, neem, basil, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper are important spices and herbs. Neem contains lots of vitamins like vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and B complex. Curcumin, which is present in turmeric, has been used for centuries to treat various disorders. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol. Turmeric is proved to be effective against Herpes virus, Hepatitis, Chikungunya virus and dengue virus thanks to its antiviral properties.  The lyophilized juice which is extracted from the ginger has been effective against Hepatitis. It reduces virus replication. Ginger also has an effect on Influenza viruses. Cinnamon is a popular spice. It contains 2 compounds – cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, which have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Studies show that the herbal extract of cloves, Eugeniin, has the ability to simplify the virus compound. Basil leaves, Garlic and Giloy also contain antiviral properties. So try to add these spices and herbs while cooking.
  • Dairy Products: are rich in Vitamin D which help lower viral replication, reduce the infection rate and reduce the chances of lung pneumonia. Include any one dairy product such as milk, yogurt, cheese, curd or paneer in your daily diet. As we all know, curd is a probiotic so it can enhance the gut-lung axis related respiratory fitness also.
  • Nuts and Seeds: are rich in immune protective phenolic compounds as well as Vitamin E, selenium and magnesium. You can add one handful of nuts in your daily diet. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium which helps to strengthen our immune system. Seeds like sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans are rich sources of  vitamin E. We can use these seeds and nuts in normal form as well as powdered form and can also incorporate them with dough, batter and salads.
  • Dark Chocolate: contains large amounts of polyphenols and magnesium. Magnesium is involved in lots of biochemical reactions in our body. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits. For Diabetic patients, we can use sugar free dark chocolates. 

Today many viruses remain without any absolute remedies and treatments and getting rid of these viruses seems hard. However, natural products and antiviral foods play a vital role in the protection against and prevention of life threatening disease. 

We hope these antiviral foods help you build your immunity! Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more on building immunity, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play. 

To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, get your subscription here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu 

#BeTheForce 

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How to Support Older Adults During the Coronavirus Pandemic

older adultsCurrently, elderly people are vulnerable and at the highest risk of experiencing significant health complications due to the second wave of COVID-19. Being socially isolated also creates a panic, affects mental and physical health of the elderly. Due to the pandemic, most older adults are not able to take walks, exercise and have limited access to their daily healthcare needs. Though social distancing and self quarantine is necessary, it is essential for older adults to feel connected in order to avoid depression or helplessness. Loneliness, anxiety and uncertainty give rise to chronic stress, depression and insomnia in older people.

How Can You Help Older Adults In Your Neighborhood? 

During this time, it becomes important to help older adults in our neighbourhood, especially the ones living alone. Here, I’ll be sharing some tips which families and caregivers can use to keep older adults disease-free, happy and mentally fit! 

  1. If you have parents or grandparents you’re not living with, give them a call to provide regular emotional support. 
  2. Ensure that an older adult’s daily needs and essential requirements like medicines, fruits, food, etc. are taken care of.
  3. Take additional efforts to check and confirm that they are maintaining proper hand and respiratory hygiene. 
  4. Older Adults are more sensitive in the current situation. To safeguard them, it’s better that they should avoid stepping out for any reason as much as possible.
  5. If routine check-ups can be done via phone consultation, please do so. Go to the hospital only when necessary. 
  6. Guide and educate the older adults in your area with the latest updates, precautionary measures, etc. Keep them informed! 
  7. Provide extra care if needed as some of them are on multiple medications due to chronic illnesses and sensory problems such as loss or difficulty in vision, hearing, etc. 
  8. Before self-medication with any drug, please consult a doctor.
  9. Family members need to be super sensitive to the early symptoms of COVID-19 and testing if needed should be promptly done. This, however, should not give rise to panic, self-isolation and stigma.
  10. Psycho-social issues are vital and families need to be sensitive to them. It is natural to be stressed, but signs of excessive panic, depression, sleep problems need urgent attention from a qualified mental health professional.
  11. The elderly need to be involved in decision making even in times of crisis. Their rights, self-respect and dignity must be preserved and protected.

 We hope this article helps. For more information or sessions on helping older adults, tune in to experts on GOQii Play. 

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce  

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Sleep Series: Sound NOT OK Please! Everything You Need To Know About Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Good sleep is ironically referred to as Sound Sleep. While “sound sleep” is Ok, sleep with “Sound NOT OK please!” Snoring is the “Lead Indicator” for sleep apnea. 30% of Males and 15% of females snore. Most of the male snorers beyond age 40 have a high chance of Sleep Apnea. 

During sleep, the body parts relax and for few of us, the muscles around the air passage – throat and tongue – collapses (relaxes) and obstructs the airway. This: 

  • Stops flow of air to lungs 
  • Breathing stops
  • Oxygen level in the blood goes down – less than 90%, Co2 rises
  • Brain detects the low level and URGENTLY REACTS! 

The brain sends signals to wake up, but to the collapsed parts only (normally the person still continues to sleep – hence he just does not know the issue) and then the cycle continues. 

During Apnea, there are complex harmful hormonal reactions in the body: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/more_evidence_untreated_sleep_apnea_shown_to_raise_metabolic_and_cardiovascular_stress 

Sleep Apnea kills slowly! Sleep Apnea unleashes Diabetes and Hypertension and lethargy of course, among a myriad of other diseases. I first noticed that I may have apnea since I felt very sleepy in office meetings. That they were boring is another reason, but I felt sleepy in ALL meetings! I was tired and lethargic.

How I Tackled Sleep Apnea 

My “sound sleep” was like a Lion’s Roar! I heard my recordings – first it was my wife who talked about it, then even my sons, who sleep in the adjacent room. That’s the time, coincidentally, GOQii folks were discussing sleep apnea, CPAP machines, etc. There was a free polysomnography (sleep test) going on offer and I grabbed one. The results confirmed a mild version of apnea and I promptly purchased a Philips APAP (more advanced than CPAP) machine.

I struggled to get used to sleeping with a face mask but as I got used, the benefits were telling! I invariably woke up fresher, singing a song and ready to Carpe Diem. I was more attentive in meetings (asking even tougher questions) and then the health benefits began pouring in – my hypertension plummeted, and the quantum of medicines dropped – my overall quality of life improved

The reason why I shared my personal story bit more elaborately:
I had a sleep problem that resulted in 

  • Low productivity
  • Stress and strain as I worked hard to compensate for the low productivity
  • Irritability due to poor sleep – bad 360 degree feedback
  • I was taking more coffee to stay awake – resulting in further loss of sleep – caught in a vicious cycle (read caffeine and sleep here)
  • Suffered from an avoidable hypertension issue for at least 15 years and took all kinds of beta blockers resulting in even deadlier side effects
  • I HAD NO CLUE and sadly NOT EVEN MY DOCTORS
  • NO doctor EVER asked me ANY questions about my snoring or sleep quality – NOT a comment on the Doctors, but on the system, treat for the “symptoms” that we narrate.

Therefore, YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE for your HEALTH!  

  • Talk to your body, understand the signals (language of body) it is sending – even better, measure it regularly
  • In Mumbai, I found just two sleep doctors on Google – I consulted with one of them.  (Just 2 for Maximum City? No wonder Mumbai is a city that does not sleep)
  • I read Matthew Walker’s book on Sleep, read many blogs and watched many Videos
  • Used CPAP Machine, understood its readings, correlated with GOQii Smart Vital readings and made corrections to lifestyle
  • Invested in upgrading my bedroom
  • Experimented with a few foods (next/last blog) and adapted what was suiting me
  • Then, finally decided to share it on LinkedIn, because that is my community 

Summary

  • Sleep Apnea is MORE common than what gets detected and treated
  • Sleep Apnea is not just a health problem, it is the biggest killer of productivity – HR Folks, note this!
  • Low productivity results in even more hard work for knowledge workers 
  • Responsible for ALL MAJOR lifestyle chronic illnesses like Diabetes and Hypertension
  • If you feel sleepy in the office before lunch, then watch out, you may have sleep apnea whether or not you snore ( feeling a bit sleepy during the second half is ok)
  • If you are over 40, then I strongly advise you to consult a sleep doctor and take a polysomnography test. Make it part of the Master Check Up
  • If you snore, then do not wait, get yourself tested for apnea

Modern CPAP and APAP machines are fantastic. They are as comfortable as they can get and they give you a comprehensive MIS on your sleep the next day. More importantly, they have high quality air filters, which filters pollutants and smaller dust particles – that’s an added benefit! 

We hope this article on Sleep Apnea helps you! Watch out for the next and final article on the Sleep Series by Srini. For more on sleep, tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. 

To get your GOQii subscription, download the app or click here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

#BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]