The recent pandemic, COVID-19 has caused a panic buying of sanitizers, soaps and various surface cleaners. But the big question is - Can hand sanitizers help protect you from infections? Well, the answer is yes. Hand sanitizers can help in protecting you by preventing the spread of both virus and bacteria. However, preventing coronavirus infection lies in the constituents of the sanitizer and the method of use. If used correctly and in the right scenarios, it can help kill the germs.
Ideal hand sanitizer for preventing the spread of coronavirus
The World Health Organization has recommended using a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. You should use the label-instructed amount, rub it in and let it dry out.
How does hand sanitizer work on coronavirus?
Using hand sanitizer prevents the hand transmission of germs. It is also effective against the novel coronavirus which is an enveloped virus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective in removing these enveloped viruses by inactivating the envelope, thus making it non-infectious.
Are hand sanitizers as effective as soap?
The best way to kill germs is washing your hands with soap and water. However, you can’t have access to soap and water all the time, especially when you are on the go. At these times, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended. It is imperative to use a hand sanitizer that has over 60% alcohol. Indus Hand Sanitizer is made with WHO recommended formula and contains 80% alcohol (ethanol). It kills 99.9% germs and gives continued protection.
Blood and urine tests in the laboratory detect any disturbances in the chemical levels of your body. There are several tests done, each for its specific purpose:
You will be made to sit on a chair with your arm on the hand-rest of the chair or on a table. The technician will insert the needle in a particular vein of your arm and draw in a small quantity of blood, which will then be sent to a lab.
A simple and quick procedure that scans the lungs and heart for diseases or irregularities.
The technician will position you correctly on the x-ray table. You should not wear any jewellery or metal objects. The technician may ask you to hold your breath for few seconds. Women who suspect pregnancy or are pregnant should not undertake this test. Pregnant ladies should not enter the X-Ray room.
An ECG maps the electrical activity and muscular functioning of the heart. It also indicates other abnormal conditions of heart.
You will be asked to lie down on a bed/table. Electrodes (small clip-like objects) will be attached to your arms, legs and chest and a gel is applied. A reading of the ECG will be taken from a monitor attached to the electrodes. You have to lie very still and breathe normally unless instructed to hold it. You should not talk during the test.
It is a kind of ultrasound which provides detailed analysis of the heart on various parameters such as valves, heart chambers, cardiac capacity, congenital defects, etc.
A colourless gel is applied to the chest or on the transducer head. You will be asked to lay on your left side as the technician moves the transducer across the different parts of your chest to get specific views of the heart.
A type of ultrasound conducted to detect and diagnose any lumps in the breasts to screen out cancerous probabilities.
A Gel will be put on the breast so the transducer can pick up the sound waves as it is moved back and forth over the breast. A picture of the breast tissue can be seen on a TV screen.
This helps to determine any abnormality in the abdominal organs and detect stones and inflammation of the liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas and kidneys.
A gel will be applied on the whole abdominal area and the transducer is moved slowly over it. An image of the abdominal area will appear on the attached monitor.
You will be required to have your urinary bladder full by drinking lots of water.
This gives you the percentage of fat present in your body in proportion with muscles. This is helpful in determining one’s obesity level.
Critical in detection of cervical cancer (which is completely curable if detected at an early stage). It is very common in females.
You will need to lie down on your back. A speculum is then inserted into the vaginal area and a small cervical brush is inserted into the openings of the cervix and twirled around to collect a sample of the cells. The results of the Pap smear are usually available after 4/5 days. Women should ideally have Pap smear in the mid of their cycle and not close to having or during their periods.
TVS is done to obtain complete evaluation of the pelvic area more appropriately in females.
For TVS you will need to lie down on your back with your feet in stirrups. A transducer is inserted into the vagina after the patient empties her bladder. A protective cover is placed over the transducer and lubricated with a small amount of gel to avoid any discomfort.
Breathing exercises that check lung condition and lung capacity, which can get altered in some lung and heart conditions.
You will need to wear loose fitting clothes that do not restrict your breathing. If you wear dentures, you will have to remove them. A mouth piece will be inserted in your mouth and you will be asked to breathe in, hold your breath and breathe out several times.
Loss of hearing is a gradual process and sometimes goes unnoticed to the patient. Early detection of this defect can help in taking corrective measures.
You will be asked to wear special headphones. The technician will instruct you to raise your hand every time you hear a tone through these headphones. A headband with a small plastic rectangle that fits behind your ear will be put. The tones will be repeated.
This test is done to check the possibility of blockages in the heart’s blood vessels, when the person is put to exercise.
You are connected to the ECG machine with electrodes and told to walk on the treadmill (a machine commonly seen in gyms and fitness centres). The speed and elevation of the treadmill is increased gradually. You should wear comfortable footwear on the treadmill. In case of any discomfort during the test, inform the technician immediately.
A routine eye check-up to check vision and condition of the eyes.
You will be made to sit on a special chair and after a preliminary examination of the eyes, you will be asked to read some text. In some cases eye drops may be put in your eyes for a more detailed examination by other instruments.
Helps in assessing bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis, the main reason for fragile bones that fracture easily.
Since it is a type of x-ray, BMD is done in the radiology department. You will need to lie down on your back on a table and the machine will scan your bones of hip and lower spine.
This test is non-invasive and takes pictures of the heart in 0.4 seconds and uses them to construct a 3-D image.
It very precisely detects any blockages in the blood vessels.
This evaluates the condition of blood vessels in the neck. By early detection, any narrowing of vessels can be treated to prevent complications in the future.
Detects narrowing, blockages and growths in vessels to the brain. This test is critical to prevent fatal conditions like brain haemorrhage.
This test gives us information about any pathology in the brain tissues like tumours, haemorrhage etc. It is a quick process that takes only about 3 seconds.
A non-invasive procedure to obtain information about the presence, location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries due to a build-up of fat or other substances.
For all the above CT tests, the procedure remains same. You will be asked to lie down on your back on the CT scanning table. A contrast medium is injected (except in CT calcium scoring) intravenously. Your heart rate is continuously monitored during the procedure with the help of ECG leads. You are asked to hold breath for 15-20 sec during the scan.
You should not eat or drink anything except water for at least 2 hours prior to the test. This test will not be done in case of pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
This evaluates the condition of the lumbar and cervical spine. This test is essential in proper diagnosis and treatment of chronic lower back pain.
A detailed consultation for women regarding contraception, conception, pregnancy and self-testing for presence of certain diseases.
Diet Consultation: Consultation with a dietician to guide you for balanced diet and proper eating habits. Dietician will also suggest changes in diet, if any required. This consultation will give you in-depth understanding of how to eat better and stay healthy.
A fitness expert advises you on the proper fitness program to follow taking into consideration factors like your age, weight, medical history etc.
A final assessment of all your test reports by an experienced doctor. The doctor will give you a detailed analysis of your test results and suggest corrective measures as needed. It is advisable to keep a proper follow-up with your family doctor regarding any measures that are suggested.
It is an established fact that the biggest killer diseases like heart ailments, cancer, stroke and diabetes can by far be prevented, if and when, diagnosed early in their stages. Thankfully, this can be achieved by going for simple screening tests and preventive health checkups on a regular basis.
For people living seas and miles away from the home land, it becomes all the more essential.
Unwelcomed medical emergencies are difficult to deal with and can cost heavily in a foreign land. So, it is better to keep a tab on your health's status by regular screening and avoid any such unpleasant surprises.
In five months, Coronavirus has affected more than 20 million people in the world. Thankfully, we now have more tests that can be used to know past and active infections. These tests can also be used by the health workers, government and scientists to find more about the virus and find a cure or plan mass-level control for it.
To make these tests available and accessible for all, Indus is introducing them in their service. To plan protection and check for active infections, Indus offers the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 detection test, Antibody Test and Antigen Testing for Covid-19 screening.