With Covid-19 instances surged once more throughout elements of Asia, issues have risen about the potential for a brand new wave. To assist clear up the air, prime medical doctors reply 15 of the most typical questions folks have concerning the virus.
India can be seeing a brand new enhance as Covid-19 instances in elements of Asia have been rising just lately. In line with the Covid-19 dashboard by the Ministry of Well being and Human Companies, India at the moment has 257 energetic instances. States resembling Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have reported new instances primarily as a consequence of Omicron variant JN.1 and its associated strains. Just lately, recognized personalities resembling cricketer Travis Head and actress Shilpa Sirodkar have additionally been constructive. This has led to rising issues and doubts amongst folks as as to whether this might result in one other wave.
Covid-19 instances in Asia
International locations resembling Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and China have seen a noticeable rise in Covid-19 instances over the previous few weeks. In Singapore, the weekly instances jumped from 11,100 to 14,200 between April twenty seventh and Might third, 2025, in response to Singapore’s Ministry of Well being. Thailand reported 33,030 instances between Might eleventh and seventeenth, accounting for round 6,000 instances in Bangkok alone. In Hong Kong, the proportion of instances doubled from 6.21% to 13.66% in simply 4 weeks. China additionally noticed greater than double the incident by early Might. Consultants consider the rise is because of the unfold of Omicron sub-variants, notably JN.1 and newer variations resembling LF.7 and NB.1.8.
Many individuals are frightened when the quantity will increase. Is that this one other pandemic? To clear up the confusion and worry, HealthSchott interviewed a number of medical doctors – Drishchaful (a number one pulmonary surgeon with 23 years of expertise), Dr. Ullman Dolph (a senior marketing consultant inner drugs with 30 years of expertise), Dr. Amit Naval (a well known emergency medical physician with 20 years of expertise), Dr. Anita Matthew (a 17-year-old supervisor’s supervisor’s supervisor) –
1: What’s the new Covid-19 variant (JN.1)? What’s the signs?
Dr. Harish Chafle: The Jn.1 variant is a sacroineige of Omicron Ba.2.86, recognized to have round 30 mutations, spreading quickly. JN.1 is linked to the latest rise in COVID-19 incidents throughout India, notably in Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Asia. Signs you’ll be able to expertise embrace dry cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, runny or cluttered nostril, fever, particularly diarrhea. Most instances are delicate, however extra warning is required in susceptible populations (comorbidities and most cancers sufferers, aged folks, pregnant ladies, youngsters). If signs seem, seek the advice of a specialist.
2: Is the JN.1 variant harmful?
Dr. Harish Chaful: The variety of instances is on the rise, however this variant has not resulted in severe issues resembling shortness of breath, loss of life or hospitalization. The case is delicate and may be recovered with supportive care. Remedy is rested, drink loads of fluids, and examine SPO2 ranges infrequently. Nonetheless, please take the required precautions and take the required precautions.
3: Is the Covid-19 vaccine protected against new variants?
Dr. Urman Dhruv: Sure, it offers safety, however there are at the moment no suggestions concerning Indian booster doses.
4: How will Covid-19 unfold?
Dr. Amit Nabar: When an contaminated individual sucks out droplets and really small particles containing viruses, the coronavirus spreads. Others can breathe these droplets and particles. In any other case, these droplets and particles can land on somebody’s eyes, nostril, or mouth. In some circumstances, these droplets can contaminate the surfaces they contact. Anybody who has been contaminated with the virus can unfold it even when they do not have signs. Covid-19 is uncommon, though in some circumstances it may even unfold from individual to animal.
5: If I get vaccinated, do I must get a Covid-19 check?
Dr. Urman Dhruv: Sure, you continue to must take the check. Even if you’re vaccinated, you’ll be able to nonetheless catch the virus, however the signs are normally delicate. Vaccines assist cut back severity, however don’t present full immunity. Subsequently, in case you develop signs like flu, it’s safer to take the check.
6: What’s “Lengthy Covid-19”? Can youngsters be affected?
Dr. Urman Dhruv: Lengthy Covid continues to be signs a number of weeks after recovering from Covid. These embrace fatigue, shortness of breath, low power whereas strolling, and issues with blood clotting. It normally lasts between 6-12 weeks. Youngsters below the age of 12 are much less more likely to get it, and respiration issues and people who smoke are at greater danger.
7: How can I shield myself and others from Covid-19?
Dr. Amit Nabar: It is very important observe these confirmed preventive steps to guard your self and others from viruses and different respiratory viruses.
- Get vaccinated: Maintain Covid-19 vaccines and boosters updated to cut back the danger of extreme sickness.
- Observe hand hygiene: Wash your arms incessantly with cleaning soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. If cleaning soap will not be accessible, use hand sanitizer. Don’t contact your face with unwashed arms.
- Enhance indoor air high quality: Open the window or use an air air purifier to make sure correct air flow.
- Keep residence while you’re sick: In case you are experiencing respiratory signs, keep residence and relaxation to stop the illness from spreading to others.
- Put on a masks: Put on applicable masks, particularly in busy or indoor public environments.
- In search of remedy early: In the event you check constructive for Covid-19 and are at excessive danger of issues, seek the advice of your healthcare supplier promptly about antiviral remedy.
- Preserve bodily distance: Maintain a protected distance from others in public, particularly if you’re coughing or sneezing.
8: Ought to I put on a masks to guard in opposition to Covid-19?
Dr. Urman Dhruv: Sure, at each stage of illness transmission, right this moment or months or years from now, masks will stay the one safety to stop COVID an infection. Additionally, maintain a protected distance from people who find themselves notably symptomatic and keep away from crowded areas.
9: Is it protected for moms to breastfeed if their moms are contaminated with Covid-19?
Dr. Anita Mathew: Sure, breastfeeding for Covid-19 is protected because the virus has not been detected in breast milk. Nonetheless, moms ought to take precautions resembling sporting a masks and washing their arms earlier than feeding to stop the virus from passing by means of droplets.
10: What ought to HIV folks learn about Covid-19?
Dr. Anita Matthew: HIV sufferers are at much less danger of contracting the coronavirus than sufferers with out HIV. Nonetheless, in the event that they develop into contaminated with Covid-19, the chance of illness or development of an infection, or the chance of extended or extreme sickness will increase by 30-35%. Vaccinated HIV sufferers are at a decrease danger of creating extreme sickness. Folks with low CD4 T lymphocyte counts have to be extra cautious as they’re extra susceptible to extreme issues as a consequence of decrease ranges of immune system within the physique.
11: How does Covid-19 have an effect on style and odor?
Dr. Harish Chafle: Covid-19 is understood to wreck the cells that help olfactory neurons, resulting in sudden lack of odor (anosmia) and style (Ageusia). The virus causes irritation of the nasal tissue, destroying indicators to the mind, inflicting the odor and style to be misplaced. These signs could also be current for a minimum of 7-10 days and may disappear by yourself as soon as they recuperate.
12: Can I catch Covid-19 from a pet?
Dr. Amit Nabar: There isn’t a proof to show that animals unfold SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. There have been a number of uncommon reviews of contaminated mammal animals spreading the virus to folks throughout shut contact. These instances embrace agricultural minks in Europe and the US, white tail deer in Canada, pet hamsters in Hong Kong, and cats in Thailand. In most of those instances, the animals have been believed to have first contaminated anybody with the virus.
13: Is there something I ought to keep away from to remain protected from Covid-19?
Dr. Amit Nabar: To remain protected from Covid-19, keep away from crowded or inadequately ventilated areas, get in shut contact with sick folks, and contact your face with unwashed arms. Restrict pointless journey throughout spikes. Don’t ignore signs resembling cough, fever, or fatigue. Additionally, don’t skip security measures resembling sporting a masks in public, sustaining distance, or retaining your arms clear with cleaning soap or sanitizer.
14: How can I do know if it is Covid-19 or only a chilly?
Dr. Harish Chaful: COVID-19 and chilly signs resembling runny nostril and cough are widespread, however the coronavirus contains fever, lack of style or odor, physique ache, diarrhea, muscle ache and fatigue. Testing is probably the most dependable approach to distinguish them. Exams will likely be carried out as beneficial by consultants to verify the prognosis.
15: Does smoking worsen Covid-19?
Dr. Harish Chafle: In line with varied research, smoking can exacerbate the coronavirus by damaging the lungs and weakening the immune system. People who smoke usually tend to expertise extreme coronavirus signs, require hospitalization and face issues like pneumonia that may flip into pneumonia. Quit smoking can enhance lung well being and cut back Covid-19 issues.
