CDC new quarantine recommendations#COVID 19

CDC is updating the recommended quarantine period for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19. For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.

 Alternatively, if a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.

 Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure. 

 For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19. 

Post COVID duration?

 It has been described that the condition can last three months, some have described as long as six months and potentially up to nine months. But as you know, we're still about one year and a half into the pandemic. There's still more studies that need to be done to follow patients who develop post COVID-19 condition or long COVID and to see when their symptoms we hope will resolve. 

#post covid #longcovid #COVID19

Will COVID vaccine produce severe side effects like allergic reactions?

 

Some participants in the vaccine clinical trials did report side effects similar to those experienced with other vaccines, including muscle pain, chills and headache.

And although extremely rare, people can have severe allergic reactions to ingredients used in a vaccine.

That’s why experts recommend people with a history of severe allergic reactions — such as anaphylaxis — to the ingredients of the vaccine should not get the vaccination.

#COVID 19 #vaccine side effects

COVID 19 vaccine: Which one offers the highest level of immunity and protection?

 

Currently, we do not have much clarity available on how long individual vaccines grant protection and immunity.

However, recent studies have indicated that mRNA vaccines, such as the one offered by Moderna may be capable of offering longer immunity, which may remain in place for years to come, and hence may not even require a booster shot.

Researchers at the Oxford University, who also helmed the development of the Covishield vaccine have also recently highlighted how the administration of a booster shot, given 10 months from the first shot may help significantly boost antibody count and work to provide lasting immunity

#COVID19 #Vaccine #Best vaccine

TYPES OF ASTHMA MEDICATIONS

Types of asthma medications

Category	Purpose	Medication types
Long-term asthma control medications	Taken regularly to control chronic symptoms and prevent asthma attacks — the most important type of treatment for most people with asthma	Inhaled corticosteroids Leukotriene modifiers Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) Theophylline Combination inhalers that contain both a corticosteroid and a LABA
Quick-relief medications (rescue medications)	Taken as needed for rapid, short-term relief of symptoms — used to prevent or treat an asthma attack	Short-acting beta agonists such as albuterol Ipratropium (Atrovent) Oral and intravenous corticosteroids (for serious asthma attacks)
Medications for allergy-induced asthma	Taken regularly or as needed to reduce your body's sensitivity to a particular allergy-causing substance (allergen)	Allergy shots (immunotherapy) Omalizumab (Xolair)

Long-term control medications

Many people with asthma need to take long-term control medications on a daily basis. You take these medications even when you don't have symptoms. There are several types of long-term control medications. They include the following types.

Inhaled corticosteroids
These anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective and commonly used long-term control medications for asthma. They reduce swelling and tightening in your airways. You may need to use these medications for several days to weeks before they reach their maximum benefit.

ASTHMA Medications

Asthma Medications

Asthma medication plays a key role in gaining good control of your condition. Asthma is a chronic (lifelong) disease that involves inflammation of the airways superimposed with recurrent episodes of decreased airflow, mucus production, and cough. Choosing the proper asthma drug is crucial in avoiding asthma attacks and living an active life.

Treatment with asthma medication focuses on:

• Controlling inflammation and preventing chronic symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness at night, in the early morning, or after exertion (long-term control medications)
• Easing asthma attacks when they occur (quick-relief asthma medication)

There are two general types of asthma medication which can give you long-term control or quick relief of symptoms.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the most important type of therapy for most people with asthma because these asthma medications prevent asthma attacks on an ongoing basis. Steroids, also called "corticosteroids," are an important type of anti-inflammatory medication for people suffering from asthma. These asthma drugs reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.
• Bronchodilators. These asthma medications relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air come in and out of the lungs. As a result, breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.

These asthma drugs can be administered in different ways. Successful treatment should allow you to live an active and normal life. If your asthma symptoms are not controlled, you should contact your doctor for advice and look at a different asthma medication that may work better for you

Who Should Get Immunotherapy:

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology says patients in these groups would likely benefit from immunotherapy:

• Asthma triggered by exposure to airborne allergens, PLUS:
• Poor response to asthma medicines or environmental controls
• Avoiding your triggers is unrealistic or impossible
• Having problematic side effects from asthma medicine

People who have life-threatening allergies to insect stings are also great candidates for allergy shots.

Effectiveness of immunotherapy

In the past, the effectiveness of immunotherapy and asthma was somewhat controversial. In the last few years, research suggests that immunotherapy is effective in certain populations. But, it's still not clear if the benefits are better than other options, such as inhaled corticosteroids. It's also not clear if patients who are treated with inhaled steroids have a different response to allergy shots than those who are not. It does seem that immunotherapy can prevent the development of asthma in children with severe allergies to airborne allergens.

What is immunotherapy

What It Is:

Immunotherapy is the medical term for a treatment for asthma commonly known as "allergy shots." It can help reduce asthma symptoms and the need for medications in people who are allergic to airborne allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mite

Immunotherapy

The recommendations of professional bodies have ranged from cautious acceptance to outright dismissal. With increasing interest in new allergen preparations and new methods of delivery, it was time to conduct another systematic review of allergen specific immunotherapy for asthma.