Public health officials have warned that highly contagious infectious diseases, like COVID-19, can re-emerge and cause a second and possibly third wave of the disease. The warning should not be taken lightly as historically previous pandemics involving plague, cholera, and influenza that once clear of their initial peak of activity have re-emerged in a different segment of the population to the second wave of disease.
The 1918–19 influenza pandemic had emergence and re-emergence in three waves over a year. However, the 2009 influenza (H1N1) pandemic had two waves, with the second causing significantly more illness than the first.
The constant increase in Covid incidence numbers is more dangerous than the first wave peak witnessed around September 2020. The number of Covid cases is constantly increasing. Over the last week, active cases in the country have been on the upswing, with daily active numbers regularly surpassing 50 thousand.
Covid Second Wave & Symptoms of Covid Variants
Much of the second wave of Covid can be attributed to the new variants of the pandemic, emerging from across the world- which is all more contagious and deadly. In case you are wondering how does a virus get its new variants, then you must know that viruses are constantly evolving, giving rise to new variants, or strains, of a virus form.
Worldwide, scientists have been tracking the changes bought by the Covid-19 virus that causes mutations. Currently, Covid variants from the UK, Brazil, South Africa to the local variants detected in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana have been the reason behind increased numbers of the pandemic. Let’s discuss them in the table below-
| Covid Variant Name | Specifics | |
| B.1.1.7 | UK variant or the Kent variant | Variant travels quickly between individuals.It is approximately 50% more infectious than the original coronavirus.UK variant spreads quicker than the other Covid variants. |
| B.1.351 | South Africa | B.1.35 can re-infect those who have recovered from the prior coronavirus strains. |
| P.1 | Brazil | The Brazil variant consists of 17 distinct mutations.P.1 shares some mutations with B.1.351. This variant may affect immunity and vaccine effectiveness. |
| N440K and E484Q | Maharashtra, Kerala and Telangana |
Symptoms of the new Covid Variants
In addition to the initial symptoms (fever, a loss of taste and smell, cough, chest pains, aches, and chills) depicted by the older form of Coronavirus, the new stains of Covid variants exhibit seven new symptoms. The new Covid variants’ symptoms include Aches and pains, Sore throat, Skin rashes, Headache, Conjunctivitis, Diarrhoea, and Discolouration of fingers or toes. Let’s discuss them in detail below-
- Fatigue: Some patients affected by the new Covid variants have reported severe weakness as one of the symptoms. The presence of cytokines can cause dizziness and fatigue, which impairs the immune system.
- Dizziness: Symptoms including nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, can also take place.
- Muscle and body ache: Muscle pain and body ache are the most common symptoms of the new COVID variant. Acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) myalgia (muscle pain) present in the body intensifies the joint ache. Myalgia creates excruciating pain by targeting muscle fibres and the tissue lining.
Consider opting for a COVID-19 diagnostic test if you experience fatigue, dizziness, muscle pain, weakness, lethargy, body pain, or diarrhoea. These symptoms may occur in addition to or beside the usual sore throat, fever, cough, and chills.
The severity of Covid-19 among Kids
COVID-19 can affect children, including very young children, though many of them are asymptomatic. However, those who become ill tend to have milder Covid symptoms such as a low-grade fever, fatigue, and cough, besides swollen hands or feet and glands (lymph nodes).
Furthermore, a potentially severe and dangerous complication- multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), can cause life-threatening problems with their heart and other organs. Besides, MIS-C can cause severe inflammation to the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal organs, among children. Severely affected children with MIS-C may have breathing problems, chest pain or pressure, bluish lips or face, confusion, or difficulty staying awake Parents should take notice of these symptoms and call specialist help right away.
Celebrating World Health Day
With the explosive numbers on Covid from the nook and corner of the country, it becomes critical to take precautions, follow social distancing, wear face masks and wait for your turn at the covid vaccination drive.
Every year on the seventh of April, the World Health Day is celebrated across the geographies. This year, the theme of “Building a fairer, healthier world” is significant, highlighting the importance of taking care of our health, particularly amid a pandemic. The World Health Day draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people worldwide, bringing together governmental and non-governmental health organizations to organize events intended to promote healthier lifestyles.
Consult Specialists on Gigadocs
As the number of Coronavirus cases sour, availing Teleconsultation for your and your family’s healthcare requirements is the need of the hour. It will save you from infectivity and be a time-saver in terms of transportation costs and time for a face-to-face appointment. Gigadocs E-Healthcare app extends a safe mode of consulting your favourite doctors from the privacy of your home on the phone or a video call.
Gigadocs provides you with digital prescription services, digital safekeeping of your healthcare records, and an immunization schedule to remind parents of their child’s vaccination dates.
Download the Gigadocs app from-
- IOS App – apple.co/2W2iG4V
- Android App – bit.ly/33AQoRC
To know more and schedule a Virtual Consultation demo, Email, at info@gigadocs.com.
