Battle Against Corona Virus

The lesions and blisters caused by monkeypox virus are, although, very painful, and lead to hospitalisation, the diseases may not be as deadly as Covid-19 for the general public, health experts contended on Wednesday. The monkeypox virus has, so far, infected over 16,000 people across 75 countries and caused five deaths in Africa. The disease is not sexually transmitted, but the latest outbreak has been reported among men who have sex with men. However, it can spread among the general population through direct contact with infectious skin or lesions, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, and respiratory droplets. Although the disease may typically start with just fever and skin lesions, if left untreated, it can get complicated "by affecting the lungs", Dr. Laxman Jessani, Consultant and Infectious Disease Specialist at Apollo Hospital in Navi Mumbai told IANS. "If the disease is not controlled, then the disease can go on to infect the lungs, and there can be pneumonia and with pneumonia, there can be increased mortality as well," Jessani said. "I will not say that all cases turn out to be complicated, but there are a few cases of monkeypox if left untreated, they can have complications like pneumonia," he added. A 2010 study by the US Pacific Northwest National Laboratory also claims that the monkeypox virus might damage lungs during infection. Not only does the infection from monkeypox virus increase production of proteins involved in inflammation, but it decreases production of proteins that keep lung tissue intact and lubricated, revealed the study published in the journal 'Molecular and Cellular Proteomics'. However, the co-chairman of IMA national task force on Covid, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, disagreed saying that monkeypox may not be dangerous to the people living in good health. "The person who's in good health, if gets monkeypox is at no greater risk as far as the evidence we have from developed Western nations. "But extremely rare complications are possible, although such incidents have not been reported, so far," he said. Monkeypox is a rare viral disease, related to smallpox and cowpox. The virus generally causes pimples or blister-like lesions and flu-like symptoms such as fever. The lesions typically concentrate on the arms and legs, but in the latest outbreak, they're showing up more frequently on the genital and perianal area. Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics, clothing, that have infectious skin particles. Touching objects that have been contaminated by monkeypox lesions or fluids may also risk the spread. Jessani said the risk of transmission is only "if one is coming in close contact with infected patients or animals". "Otherwise the risk is not so much. If you use basic infection control measures like hand hygiene, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask, then the infections cannot transmit that easily," he said. The experts noted there is "no need to panic" but "to remain vigilant". According to Jessani, if you notice any symptom like fever or skin lesions, "make sure to report it to the concerned authorities" and get proper treatment.  (Rachel V Thomas) Read More► What is Monkeypox, How Does It Spread, How to Avoid

Double-masking might not protect against Covid-19, but rather raises the risk of infection as well as transmission, US researchers have claimed, in a study. The study published in Physics of Fluids, suggests double masking with improperly fitted masks may "not significantly improve mask efficiency and produces a false sense of security". "More layers mean a less porous face covering, leading to more flow forced out of the perimeter gaps (sides, top, and bottom) in masks with a less secure fit," argued researchers at Florida State University and Johns Hopkins University. Double layers increase filtering efficiency only with good mask fit but could also lead to breathing difficulties. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loosely woven cloth masks offer the least protection against Covid, and N95 and KN95 masks offer the most. Still, after more than two years since the pandemic began, there is not a full understanding of mask characteristics for the most optimal protection. In the study, the team used principal component analysis (PCA) along with fluid dynamics simulation models to show the crucial importance of proper fit for all types of masks and how face shape influences the most ideal fit. The researchers modelled a moderate cough jet from the mouth of an adult male wearing a cloth mask over the nose and mouth with elastic bands wrapped around the ears. They calculated the maximum volume flow rates through the front of the mask and peripheral gaps at different material porosity levels. For a more realistic 3D face shape and size, the researchers used PCA that integrated 100 adult male and 100 adult female heads retrieved from head scan data at Basel University in Switzerland. PCA condenses large sets of variables while retaining most of the information. Their model showed how the slight asymmetry typical in all facial structures can affect proper mask fitting. For example, a mask can have a tighter fit on the left side of the face than on the right side. "Facial asymmetry is almost imperceivable to the eye but is made obvious by the cough flow through the mask," said co-author Tomas Solano, from Florida State University. "For this particular case, the only unfiltered leakage observed is through the top. However, for different face shapes, leakage through the bottom and sides of the mask is also possible," he added. Creating "designer masks" customised to each person's face is not practical at scale. Still, PCA-based simulations can be used to design better masks for different populations by revealing general differences between male and female or child versus elderly facial structures and the associated air flow through masks, the researchers said. (Agency) Read More► Covid-19 Pandemic Raised Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: Study