Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by
severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 (SARS-CoV2), it was first identified during an
investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
COVID-19 disease manifests itself with fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. 50%
of these patients may also present pre-dominant digestive
symptoms (lack of appetite,
loose stools, vomiting and abdominal pain).
Indians comparatively carry more Natural Killer (type of white blood cell) which controls viruses.
These cells were acquired as a result of living
in an environment challenged with more infective
agents. So there is proof that we have a stronger innate first line defense.
The best way to protect yourself from the COVID-19 virus is to avoid exposure.
Wearing mask is not enough. You should
have to wear it properly and also,
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash your hands often with soap and
water for at least 20 seconds, or use an
alcohol-based
hand sanitizer that
contains at least 60% alcohol.
Keep a distance of about 6 feet (2 meters) from others especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms. Also, avoid large events and mass gatherings.
COVID-19 safety: Tips for restaurants, salons and the gym. Find out how to safely visit restaurants, go to the gym and more during reopening. Here's what you need to know.
If you feel sick, stay home. Don't visit public areas unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid taking public transportation if you're sick.
And if you're at higher risk of serious illness, avoid going out into the community when possible. It's safer to stay home. If other members of your household return to work or visit places where social distancing isn't possible, it's recommended that they isolate themselves from you.
Beyond taking general precautions to prevent COVID-19, consider specific safety tips for visiting different public places.
Before you eat at a restaurant, check the restaurant's safety practices. Are the employees wearing cloth face coverings, regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces and practicing social distancing? Is there good ventilation? Are tables set far enough apart from each other to allow for social distancing? Are outdoor tables an option? Is the menu digital or disposable?
Ideally, the restaurant won't offer salad bars, buffets and drink-filling stations that require people to use common utensils or dispensers. If you need to wait in line for service, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) from others. Wear a face covering as much as possible when you are not eating. If possible, use touchless payment.
When ordering takeout, try to pay online or over the phone to limit contact with others. If you're having food delivered, ask for it to be left outside your home in a safe spot, such as the porch or your building's lobby. Otherwise, stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the delivery person. If you're picking up your food at the restaurant, maintain social distancing while waiting in the pickup zone. After bringing home your food, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
Before going to a place of worship, check to see if the size of gatherings is being limited and how that might affect your visit. Seek out services held in large, well-ventilated areas or outdoors. Continue social distancing during services.
Also, avoid contact with frequently touched items, such as books. Place any donations in a stationary collection box. If food is offered at an event, look for pre-packaged options.
Before going to the gym, call to see if it's limiting how many members are allowed in at the same time. You might have to reserve a block of time in advance, with staff cleaning the facility between blocks. You might need to fill out additional health forms and have your temperature taken before entering the gym. Ask about the facility's cleaning and disinfecting policies and whether you'll be able to use the locker room or bathroom. If you are interested in group exercise classes, ask if they are being offered.
If possible, check in electronically. Your gym will likely enforce social distancing by blocking access to every other cardio machine or by putting up barriers around equipment. Follow the gym's guidelines and stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from other members. Clean equipment before and after using it. Some equipment that's difficult to clean, such as foam rollers and yoga blocks, might not be available. Avoid giving high-fives or doing elbow bumps with others.
If you're at higher risk of serious illness, you might consider waiting to return to the gym. Ask if your gym offers virtual classes or training.
When making a hair or nail appointment, ask about safety measures. You might be required to attend your appointment alone, wash your hair at home to reduce traffic near the shampoo area, and wait in your car or outside until your appointment begins. In addition, you might ask whether the salon is offering blow drying. Eliminating blow drying could reduce the spread of germs.
Wear a face covering at all times when you are inside the salon. Ideally, the salon will stagger appointments to limit how many people are in the facility at the same time. You might ask about the salon's disinfecting practices. Is the staff regularly wiping down high-touch surfaces? Are chairs and headrests disinfected after they are used? Is the staff wearing cloth face coverings and regularly washing their hands? Are they wearing single-use gloves for nail and facial work? Also, look for touchless payment options.
Before going to get your groceries, consider visiting the chain's website to check on the precautions being taken. For smaller businesses, call the store.
To make social distancing easy, visit the grocery store early in the morning or late at night, when the store might be less crowded. If you're at higher risk of serious illness, find out if the store has special hours for people in your situation and shop during these times. You might also consider ordering your groceries online for home delivery or curbside pickup.
At the store, disinfect the handle of the shopping cart or basket. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others while shopping and in lines. If possible, pay without touching money or a keypad or use hand sanitizer after paying. Also, apply hand sanitizer after you leave the store. When you get home, wash your hands.
During visits to the bank, use the ATM, if possible. Clean the ATM keyboard with a disinfecting wipe before using it. When you are done, apply hand sanitizer. Wash your hands when you get home.
Before pumping gas wipe down any handles or buttons you'll need to touch. After you finish fueling, apply hand sanitizer. Wash your hands when you get home or the next time you are near a sink.
Plan to order and pick up all of your prescriptions at the same time. If possible, call in prescription orders ahead of time and use a drive-thru window, curbside pickup, mail order or other delivery service. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can get a larger supply of medication so that you don't have to visit the pharmacy as often.
Before having a massage, ask about what precautions your massage therapist is taking to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Ideally, the number of people in the space will be limited to allow for social distancing and you'll be able to check in and out using virtual tools.
Massage rooms, communal areas and any objects you might touch should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sanitized. Ask about the laundry policy for linens, towels and other washable items. Massage therapists should follow hand-washing and hygiene protocols and use equipment to protect themselves, such as gloves and masks.
Before heading out, check with state and local authorities to see if parks, recreational facilities, natural bodies of water, beaches and swim areas are open. Check if bathrooms and food concession stands also are open.
Choose a park that is close to home. Travel often involves stops, which can expose you to the COVID-19 virus. Keep space between yourself and others when using swimming pools.
While at the park, look for open areas, trails and paths that allow you to keep a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) from others. Avoid crowded areas.
Keep in mind that guidelines might change. Stay informed. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't feel confident about a business's safety practices, postpone your visit. Protecting your health is worth it.
Your safety is our top priority
We have added new precautions to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission.
When you visit, you'll notice:
1 Masking policy enforced: All patients, visitors and staff must wear masks
2 Acceptable masks include homemade, surgical, dust, or N95 masks.
Masks should NOT contain an exhalation valve or vent as these permit unfiltered air to escape.
Strict limits to the number of people on campus
Carefully monitored entrance points
Screening of all patients for symptoms and possible COVID-19 exposure before entering our buildings
Waiting areas arranged for social distancing
Enhanced cleaning of exam rooms and equipment after each patient
Frequent deep cleaning of other clinic spaces
COVID 19 test /CT scan chest before any admission.
Bring a mask to wear when on campus. (We recommend wearing a mask anytime you're away from home.)
Follow social distancing guidelines
Leave children under age 13 in the care of someone else at home unless they are receiving care at the clinic.
Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for COVID-19 screening procedures.
COVID-19 screening questions
A temperature check (good to have a thermometer on hand)
A review of clinic guidelines, including use of masks, social distancing and visitor policies
Preparing for cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic requires some extra effort to protect against infection.
If you're about to begin cancer treatment, know that it's common to feel some apprehension. You might be worried about side effects and how your treatment might interfere with your daily activities. But undergoing cancer treatment during a pandemic brings some additional worries, as you must also consider the risks related to the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
When you're facing uncertainty, it may help to focus on preparation. It's a good way to channel your efforts so you don't waste energy on worrying. Here's a look at how you and your doctor can work together to make cancer treatment safer and protect you from the virus that causes COVID-19 .
You might feel more comfortable about going to the clinic or hospital for procedures and appointments if you understand the measures being taken to protect against the virus that causes COVID-19. Knowing what to expect can make you feel more prepared.
Testing for the virus that causes COVID-19. Your doctor might recommend that you undergo testing for infection before certain treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy, even if you don't have symptoms.
Precautions for in-person appointments. You may be required to wear a mask when you visit your doctor in person. At the entrance to the clinic or hospital, you may have your temperature checked and be asked about your symptoms. Ask your doctor what you can expect and how much extra time to allow. If you don't have your own mask, ask if one will be provided. If you need help getting to your appointment, tell your doctor and ask if it's OK to bring someone with you.
Revising cancer treatment plans for safety. Your doctor carefully weighs the risks of your cancer against the risks associated with the virus that causes COVID-19 in order to choose the cancer treatment that's best for you. Changes to your treatment might be necessary to limit the number of in-person appointments or invasive procedures you'll need in order to reduce your risk of COVID-19.
For instance, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or other treatments might be your initial treatment if surgery needs to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For some cancers it may be possible to alter chemotherapy or radiation therapy schedules so that you need fewer treatment sessions. Some chemotherapy drugs can be taken in pill form so that you won't need to have infusions. For certain slow-growing cancers, treatment can safely be delayed for weeks or months.
Another way to prepare for cancer treatment is to do what you can to keep yourself healthy. Try to:
Protect yourself from the virus that causes COVID-19. If you develop COVID-19 during cancer treatment, your treatment may be stopped or paused. To avoid this, follow the advice of your doctor and local health officials to reduce your risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19. Stay home as much as possible, wear a cloth face covering when you must go out, and wash your hands often with soap and water.
Arrange for help. Ask friends and family for help or arrange for services, such as grocery and pharmacy delivery, so that you can stay home as much as possible during cancer treatment.
Have a clear plan for contacting your health care team. Understand when and how to contact your health care providers when you have questions. If you're worried about the virus that causes COVID-19, you may be reluctant to go to the emergency room if you have worrying symptoms. Ask your doctor which symptoms signal an emergency so you'll know when it's necessary to seek help.
Work to stay healthy before and during cancer treatment. Make healthy choices in order to keep your body strong enough for cancer treatment. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested. Choose a healthy diet that's full of fruits and vegetables. Aim to get some exercise most days of the week. Find healthy ways to reduce stress. Beginning treatment feeling healthy may make it easier to cope with treatment side effects.
How to cope Focus on keeping your body healthy and finding ways to relieve stress while you wait for your cancer treatment to begin.
If your cancer treatment is delayed because of the pandemic, you might be worried about what that may mean for your prognosis. Being diagnosed with cancer is stressful, but you may feel additional distress and anxiety if the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacts your treatment.
Many people with cancer are finding that their treatments are being temporarily delayed. Here's a look at why doctors are delaying cancer treatment and how you can cope while you wait for treatment to begin.
Considering whether to begin cancer treatment right away during a pandemic requires a careful balance of the risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19 and the risk that cancer may progress if treatment is delayed.
There's a high level of virus activity in your area. If infections and hospitalizations due to the virus that causes COVID-19 are reaching critical levels in your area, your doctor may recommend delaying your treatment. Your doctor may determine that the risk of infection and the lack of resources, such as hospital beds and protective equipment, may pose a greater risk to your health than the cancer.
You have a slow-growing cancer. If your cancer isn't aggressive and is slow growing, your doctor may be more likely to recommend delaying your cancer treatment. To determine if a cancer is aggressive, doctors analyze the cancer cells in a lab and use information from imaging tests.
Slow-growing cancers are unlikely to spread in the weeks or months that cancer treatment is delayed. Conversely, if your cancer is aggressive and has a higher risk of spreading, your doctor may decide that immediate treatment is necessary despite the risks related to the virus that causes COVID-19.
A less invasive treatment available. Most people with cancer undergo surgery as part of their treatment. But if surgery is more risky because of concerns about the virus that causes COVID-19, your doctor may recommend delaying your surgery and using chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation therapy instead. This treatment strategy (sometimes called neoadjuvant therapy) helps control the cancer until surgery is safer.
You currently have COVID-19. Generally, doctors advise delaying or pausing treatment if you're found to have the virus that causes COVID-19. How your treatment plan is adjusted will depend on your particular situation.
Knowing you can't start your cancer treatment right away may make you wonder if your cancer may be more likely to spread or if future treatment will be more difficult. Discuss your concerns with your doctor and ask for details about your particular situation. As you learn more about your cancer, you may feel more comfortable with your doctor's decision about your care.
For many types of cancer, doctors have a good understanding of which cancers may need immediate treatment despite the virus risks and which cancers can wait weeks or months. For example, for most prostate cancers that haven't spread beyond the prostate and some breast cancers that are very small, delaying treatment for six months or longer might not be harmful, especially when neoadjuvant therapy is used.
Your doctor carefully considers your cancer, your overall health and the availability of health care resources, such as hospital beds, when deciding whether to delay your treatment.
As you wait for your cancer treatment to begin, follow your doctor's advice on preparing for treatment. It might help to:
Take precautions to avoid the virus that causes COVID-19. Being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 could make you sick and further delay your cancer treatment. Follow the precautions recommended by your doctor and local health officials, such as staying at home as much as possible, practicing social distancing around other people, wearing a cloth face covering in public settings and frequently washing your hands.
Keep yourself healthy so you're ready to start cancer treatment. Start healthy habits now so that you feel strong at the start of cancer treatment. Get enough sleep so that you wake each day feeling rested. Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Try to exercise most days of the week. Find activities to help you reduce stress, such as deep breathing and relaxation exercises.
Talk about your feelings with someone you trust. Turn to a friend or loved one to talk about your emotions as you wait for cancer treatment to begin. Connect with other people with cancer through online groups. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk with your doctor or someone else from your health care team about getting a referral to a mental health professional, such as a certified social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Asymptomatic carriers are operated on, the virus can spread in the operation theater (OT). These viruses live for 72 hours on metal and plastic. These virons after getting sucked by the exhaust fan, will blow into the OT as aerosol by HEPA filter/Ventilation system. The fumigation of the OT should be able to eradicate this threat. We fumigate OT every day.
WE follow protocol of screening of covid 19 patient with CT scan chest and Rapid antigen test in each case before surgery.
The decision for surgical care should be based on surgeon’s own surgical and clinical judgment and assessment of resource availability. Patients should get the surgical care based on practice of evidence based medicine. Non-operative line of management is advised when it is clinically appropriate for patients,
specially looking at risk and benefits of surgery. In case of a modicum of doubt, surgical teams should consider waiting for COVID-19 test results of patients who may be suspected of being infected. In case of anticipated OT staff shortage, emergency surgical procedures specially in the night should be considered only after ascertaining suitable availability of staff and equipment. Aerosol is generated during procedures such as intubation, electrocautery of blood, catheter insertion etc. This increases the risk of healthcare workers acquiring infection from patients who test COVID-19 positive or patients who are on high suspicion of having infections.
If these procedures are unavoidable, Our surgical staff wear personal protection equipment including disposable surgical caps, medical protective mask (N95), work uniform, disposable medical protective uniform, disposable latex gloves, full-face respiratory protective devices or powered air-purifying respirator.
Many elective surgeries are being delayed due to COVID-19, but is it safer to wait or have surgery during a pandemic?
If you're facing a major surgery, you might wonder what preparation and recovery will look like. You might be anxious about whether you'll be safe during the procedure.
Elective surgery is postponed with graded advantage which was given to patient to avoid and prevent COVID 19 infection.
Limit the spread of COVID-19 infection
Save personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gowns
Save intensive care unit (ICU) hospital beds and other resources needed to care for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection
For example, surgery that involves general anesthesia requires a ventilator to help people breathe during the procedure. These ventilators may be needed for someone with severe COVID-19 infection.
But if having surgery now is what's best for your health, hospitals and their staff are taking careful steps to keep you safe.
How to decide the timing of your surgery
In some states, COVID-19 cases are declining or stable. Many hospitals are performing all types of surgeries again. Surgeons might look at these factors when determining whether or not to delay surgery:
The urgency of your condition needing surgery.
Some elective or nonemergency surgeries may be postponed without a scheduled date, which may make you feel worried. Your surgeon will carefully consider the risks of waiting against having the surgery during the pandemic.
Your surgery will only be delayed if it won't put your health at risk or allow your condition to worsen. You and your surgeon will determine the safest approach for you: moving forward with surgery or delaying.
Studies have shown that delaying surgery for some types of earlier stage cancer for between three and six months didn't affect survival rates or rates of the cancer coming back. There may also be other types of therapy that can slow cancer growth while you wait for surgery.
If you need surgery to treat cancer, your surgeon will consider factors such as the stage of your cancer and how quickly it grows or spreads. Surgery may be urgently needed for people with some types of cancer.
Hospitals carefully screen patients before surgery to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. You'll be screened for common symptoms such as fever, cough and muscle aches and tested for the infection before your surgery. You may have more than one test.
You may need to self-quarantine for a period of time before your surgery to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
Hospital staff is also screened before each shift to check for fever or any signs of COVID-19 infection, such as coughing. Both staff and patients wear masks and practice social distancing.
Staff also wears PPE such as gowns, gloves and face masks when working with patients. Studies have shown that positive COVID-19 infection test rates in hospital staff decreased after universal masking was required.
Hospitals are also taking more steps to thoroughly clean and sanitize all areas, including operating rooms.
Visitors to the hospital are restricted or very limited.
Safety precautions you can take You and your surgeon will discuss the steps you'll need to take before your surgery to protect yourself and others. Discuss these steps with your family members, and prepare them for what you'll need to do and what you'll need from them. Explain that they may not be able to visit you in the hospital due to COVID-19 safety practices.
Avoid contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or shows symptoms of COVID-19.
Practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings, wear a mask and wash your hands frequently.
Monitor yourself for symptoms and check your temperature.
Ask questions about the hospital's precautions, visitor policies and how the surgery might impact your risk of getting COVID-19 infection.
Once you're out of the hospital and back home after your surgery, you'll still need to take steps to protect yourself and those around you.
Certain surgeries may make you more susceptible to infections. Ask your doctor if your recovery affects your risk of getting COVID-19 infection, and what preventive.
Continue to practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings, wear a mask and wash hands frequently.
Discuss plans for your follow-up visits and care.
Limit or restrict visitors in your home after your surgery.
If you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19 infection, you may need to self-quarantine for 14 days and check your temperature daily.
Managing follow-up care
You and your doctor will discuss whether you need follow-up care in person at the doctor's office.
