7-month-old among 60 fresh Covid-positive patients in state
1
2
Kolkata: A seven-month-old baby was among the 60 fresh Covid-positive cases reported in Bengal on Wednesday. The infant, possibly the youngest to get the infection in the state during this current spike, is admitted to Peerless Hospital.
Doctors said the child is doing well and does not need intensive care. Since the mother also had mild symptoms, her swab samples were tested and she tested positive as well.
With the 60 fresh cases, the total active Covid load in the state has crossed 400.
According to sources, the infant was symptomatic with a high-grade fever, sneezing, runny nose, and cough. As she was refusing any kind of feed, including breast milk, and had become increasingly irritable, the parents brought her to the hospital on Monday.
"The infant showed noticeable symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. As she refused feed for over eight hours before being brought to the hospital, dehydration set in, and there was decreased urine output," said paediatrician Sanjukta De, who is treating the infant. The upper respiratory samples were sent for confirmation of the type of viral infection via the virus panel test, which can detect 15 odd viruses, including adeno, parainfluenza, RSV, and influenza.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
"Of all the viruses, this child tested positive only for SARS-CoV-2, as the viral panel test report came negative for all other viruses," said Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, microbiology head at Peerless Hospital. The hospital said that the parents of the child, who are residents of south Kolkata, do not have a travel history. However, during the history-taking process, it was noted that the domestic help had a high-grade fever a few days ago, after which the baby's mother developed a mild cough and fever.
The child is now recovering with a nebuliser, IV fluid, and other supportive care.
"In the past few days, I have come across a good number of children below one year of age with upper respiratory symptoms. But most parents did not want tests to be done. It is alright if the symptoms are mild and simple paracetamol works. But parents should avoid over-the-counter drugs in case the symptoms linger. Instead, they should consult doctors," added De.
Doctors said even if Covid-19 largely spared younger children during the pandemic only with mild symptoms, they are seeing some children needing hospitalisation during this current uptick. In fact, there have been reports of at least three other cases of children requiring hospital care in the past two weeks, including a 15-year-old boy in Peerless, a nine-month-old child at Medical College Hospital (MCH), and a two-year-old child at Malda Medical College.
While all three have been discharged from the hospital, sources in the health department said a child currently admitted at MCH has also tested positive for Covid-19. Sources in the health department said the child, however, has various health issues, and Covid was an incidental finding. The child is recovering well.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Winter viruses can trigger heart attack or stroke, our study shows. It's another good reason to get flu or COVID shot
Melbourne: Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it's not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also tend to rise during the winter months. In new research out this week we show one reason why. Our study shows catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them. Wait, viruses can trigger heart attacks? Traditional risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks and strokes. And rates of heart attacks and strokes can rise in winter for a number of reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent indoors - perhaps with indoor air pollutants - can affect blood clotting and worsen the effects of traditional risk factors. But our new findings build on those from other researchers to show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger. The theory is respiratory virus infections set off a heart attack or stroke, rather than directly cause them. If traditional risk factors are like dousing a house in petrol, the viral infection is like the matchstick that ignites the flame. For healthy, young people, a newer, well-kept house is unlikely to spontaneously combust. But an older or even abandoned house with faulty electric wiring needs just a spark to lead to a blaze. People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke triggered by a respiratory virus are those with more than one of those traditional risk factors, especially older people. What we did and what we found Our team conducted a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) to see which respiratory viruses play a role in triggering heart attacks and strokes, and the strength of the link. This meant studying more than 11,000 scientific papers, spanning 40 years of research. Overall, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) were the main triggers. If you catch the flu, we found the risk of a heart attack goes up almost 5.4 times and a stroke by 4.7 times compared with not being infected. The danger zone is short - within the first few days or weeks - and tapers off with time after being infected. Catching COVID can also trigger heart attacks and strokes, but there haven't been enough studies to say exactly what the increased risk is. We also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not as strong, probably because these viruses are less commonly detected or tested for. What's going on? Over a person's lifetime, our bodies wear and tear and the inside wall of our blood vessels becomes rough. Fatty build-ups (plaques) stick easily to these rough areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces. Generally, blood can still pass through, and these build-ups don't cause issues. Think of this as dousing the house in petrol, but it's not yet alight. So how does a viral infection act like a matchstick to ignite the flame? Through a cascading process of inflammation. High levels of inflammation that follow a viral infection can crack open a plaque. The body activates blood clotting to fix the crack but this clot could inadvertently block a blood vessel completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Some studies have found fragments of the COVID virus inside the blood clots that cause heart attacks - further evidence to back our findings. We don't know whether younger, healthier people are also at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke after infection with a respiratory virus. That's because people in the studies we analysed were almost always older adults with at least one of those traditional risk factors, so were already vulnerable. The bad news is we will all be vulnerable eventually, just by getting older. What can we do about it? The triggers we identified are mostly preventable by vaccination. There is good evidence from clinical trials the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems. We aren't clear exactly how this works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections, or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances of setting off the inflammatory chain reaction. COVID vaccination could also indirectly protect against heart attacks and strokes. But the evidence is still emerging. Heart attacks and strokes are among Australia's biggest killers. If vaccinations could help reduce even a small fraction of people having a heart attack or stroke, this could bring substantial benefit to their lives, the community, our stressed health system and the economy. What should I do? At-risk groups should get vaccinated against flu and COVID. Pregnant women, and people over 60 with medical problems, should receive RSV vaccination to reduce their risk of severe disease. So if you are older or have predisposing medical conditions, check Australia's National Immunisation Program to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine. For younger people, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet will set you up for life. Consider checking your heart age (a measure of your risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss COVID boosters with your GP. (The Conversation)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Covid 19 resurges in the country: How THIS common symptom is key to the new variant
The COVID-19 virus has made a comeback after a lull of a couple of years, and there has been a surge in the number of cases worldwide, including India. For now, most cases remain mild, and patients are recovering well at home, though the government has issued caution for those who are suffering from co-morbidities, including pregnant women, and elderly people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, the COVID-19 virus continues to change and mutate, creating new variants that spread differently and cause different symptoms. One of the newest variants, called NB.1.8.1 or "Nimbus," has caught the attention of doctors and patients worldwide because it often causes a very painful sore throat, also called "razor blade throat." Let's dig deeper into the new symptom... History of the Nimbus variant Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) is a descendant of the Omicron variant, and was first detected in January 2025. Since then, it has spread quickly across many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and parts of Asia. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) the variant remains mild as of now, and does not cause severe illness. Why Is Throat Pain So Common with Nimbus Doctors have noticed that many patients infected with Nimbus report a sore throat that feels extremely painful, to the extent that even drinking water feels difficult. Some describe it as if they are "swallowing razor blades" or "glass." This is different from the mild sore throat people experienced with earlier COVID variants. Leading doctors explain that in this symptom, the throat feels very dry and cracked, causing intense pain. This severe throat pain likely happens because the virus causes inflammation and irritation in the throat tissues, leading to pain that can exacerbate while eating and drinking. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Other symptoms Though throat pain is the new symptom of the Nimbus variant, it usually comes with other common COVID symptoms. These include: Cough Fever Fatigue Muscle aches that feel like extreme fatigue and tiredness Nasal congestion that can last longer than usual Headaches Nausea or vomiting Changes in taste or smell These symptoms are similar to those seen with other Omicron variants as well. What should you do if you have a sore throat Not all sore throats will be caused by Covid. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms as well, along with a sore throat that feels sharp or burning, especially if it is severe enough to make swallowing difficult, you should: Get tested for COVID-19: Since throat pain is a key symptom of the Nimbus variant, testing can confirm if you have the virus. Stay isolated: To prevent spreading the virus to others, stay home and avoid close contact with people. Drink plenty of fluids: Even if it hurts, try to keep yourself hydrated to soothe your throat. Use throat lozenges or warm salt water gargles: These can help ease the pain temporarily. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen: If you have trouble breathing, persistent high fever, or severe pain, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Remember, sore throats can also be caused by a bacterial infection that can only be managed with antibiotics. However, since Covid is a virus, it does not respond to antibiotics. Hence, it is important to not self medicate, and consult a doctor. Vaccine is still your best bet The good news is that current COVID-19 vaccines, especially with updated boosters, continue to protect people from severe disease, hospitalization, and death caused by the Nimbus variant. While the variant can cause painful symptoms like sore throat, vaccinated individuals generally experience milder illness. Sources: World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
The BEST exercise for heart health, according to top US cardiac surgeon
Doctor Jeremy London suggests aerobic exercises for a healthy heart. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart muscle. It lowers the risk of heart diseases and improves blood circulation. Running, cycling, and swimming are beneficial. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Identify and target your weakest health habits for overall well-being. All that matters is keeping your heart happy. Yes, emotionally and physically! Heart health plays a crucial role in our overall health and wellness. But how does one keep the heart healthy? Certain lifestyle changes can help to maintain the heart in good shape, and one of them is exercise. What's the best exercise for heart health, though? Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon, with over 25 years of clinical experience, based in the US, has now shared his views on 'THE BEST' exercise for heart health! Before we delve into that, let's take a look at why exercise is crucial for heart health. The role of exercise in heart health Regular exercise is linked to many health benefits, and these apply to people across ages, races and ethnicities, and sexes. Regular moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity can strengthen the heart muscle, which will improve the heart's ability to pump blood throughout your body. It can lower the risk of heart diseases, plaque buildup up which is linked with chronic diseases and conditions, including heart attack, and stroke. The benefits of heart health include: Lowers blood pressure Improves blood circulation Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good cholesterol (HDL) Helps to control weight Maintain blood sugar level Improves heart rate Reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke Reduce inflammation throughout the body The best exercise for heart health According to Dr. Jeremy London, aerobic exercise is proven to be good for improving cardiovascular efficiency. 'Let's start with the data-driven response that doing aerobic training increases your cardiovascular efficiency and translates directly to a decrease in your cardiovascular events. And this is measured with something called a VO2 max,' he said, in a video shared on Instagram. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo VO2 max is a key indicator of how efficiently the body uses oxygen during exercise. Higher VO2 max levels are linked to better heart health and a lower risk of heart disease. 5 Exercises that will keep you young Exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming can elevate VO2 max, strengthen the heart, and improve overall endurance. Studies suggest that regular aerobic activity helps the heart work better for people with coronary heart disease. It can also help to reduce the risk of a second heart attack in people who have already had heart attacks. According to the American Heart Association , 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week, is recommended for overall health. Where to begin Keeping the heart in its best shape goes beyond exercise, according to Dr. London. He has suggested that people start by identifying and targeting their weakest health habits. 'It's my opinion that the best exercise or the best lifestyle change you can make for you is by first identifying what you're not good at. For example, I'm very conscious and make a lot of effort with what I eat, my exercise programs, really the things that I can directly control on a day-to-day basis. Where do I really struggle? It's with my sleep. I really can have the biggest impact by focusing on my sleep, not to say that I can't do a better job with my aerobic training, or with my resistance training, or with my diet. We all can do better in various places, but where can I really make meaningful shifts? Well, it's where I'm the weakest, not where I'm necessarily the strongest. And that is where the opportunity exists,' he said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
