Rising cases of mucormycosis throws up another challenge in the second wave

The rise in mucormycosis infection cases should be a wake-up call for COVID-19 patients and medical practitioners to use steroids judiciously for a limited period and in the right dosage, especially in diabetic patients. The second wave of the pandemic has thrown up another serious challenge. Besides, in just about three months, the number of … Continue reading Rising cases of mucormycosis throws up another challenge in the second wave

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Doctors say comorbidities list for COVID-19 vaccination is highly restrictive

The list of comorbidities approved by the Health Ministry is overly restrictive and complicated. Many conditions, including obesity, have been left out. The focus seems to be on people with severe diseases and combination of comorbidities. On February 27, the Health Ministry released a list of 20 comorbidities that will make a person in the … Continue reading Doctors say comorbidities list for COVID-19 vaccination is highly restrictive

People above 45 years with comorbidities will need doctor certificate, says task force member

Those older than 45 years and with comorbidities will need a certificate from a registered medical doctor. But those older than 60 years will not need any certificate. only Serum Institute’s Covishield vaccine will be available at private hospitals. Self-registration needed for those above 45 years with comorbidities.

COVID-19: Ethical challenges of vaccinating people with comorbidities

Considering a range of comorbidities that increases the risk of disease severity, which comorbidities should be given more priority for vaccination? Should people with two or more comorbidities be prioritised over those with just one comorbidity? Since males have greater risk of progressing to severe disease and deaths, should males with comorbidities be prioritised over … Continue reading COVID-19: Ethical challenges of vaccinating people with comorbidities

Novel coronavirus infection might trigger diabetes

There is growing evidence that novel coronavirus might be triggering type-1 diabetes in some people who have so far remained free of it. The virus seems to be causing diabetes spontaneously in people. Diabetes is one of the key risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 and chances of dying is elevated in people with diabetes. Now, … Continue reading Novel coronavirus infection might trigger diabetes

Enforcing fast foods sale ban near schools will be a tall order

Though sale and advertisement of tobacco products within 100 yards of a school is prohibited, violation is more a norm than an exception. The same will be the case with junk foods. In a welcome step, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified a draft regulation aimed at prohibiting the sale and … Continue reading Enforcing fast foods sale ban near schools will be a tall order

Cardiovascular disease risk high in rural area near Chennai

A large study that followed-up people for nearly eight years in a rural area near Chennai finds that cardiovascular disease is becoming an important preventable cause of death in rural areas. In the study area, two-thirds of people who developed cardiovascular disease died. Contrary to the general notion, cardiovascular disease is becoming an important preventable … Continue reading Cardiovascular disease risk high in rural area near Chennai

IIT Madras develops breath humidity sensor for wearable electronics

IIT Madras researchers have fabricated a sensor that can measure minute variations in relative humidity levels in the exhaled breath. It can detect ethanol and acetone in the oral breath of alcoholics and diabetics, respectively. The highly sensitive sensors can be integrated into wearable electronics. A nanofibre sensor capable of sensing minute variations in relative humidity … Continue reading IIT Madras develops breath humidity sensor for wearable electronics

Explained: How litchi toxin is causing deaths in undernourished children in Muzaffarpur

Explained: How hypoglycaemic encephalopathy, which has caused most of the deaths in children in Muzaffarpur, is very different from encephalitis. And how the toxin in litchi is causing low blood sugar level, coma and even death in only undernourished children and how it can be prevented and treated. Acute encephalitis syndrome in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur has … Continue reading Explained: How litchi toxin is causing deaths in undernourished children in Muzaffarpur

Amity University achieves faster healing of diabetic wound

Hydrogel nanotubes containing ice in a helical structure developed by Amity University researchers has been found to quicken diabetic wound healing. Complete healing of wounds in Wistar rats was seen on day 16. No scarring was seen and fur growth at the wound site was observed. Hydrogel nanotubes containing ice in a helical structure developed … Continue reading Amity University achieves faster healing of diabetic wound