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Published on: May 17, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Contact Tracing During Covid Times

Testing is quickly becoming a statistic of national pride. Countries are clamoring to test more and more people and increase accessibility for the population to receive testing. We will cover testing, its aims, and its future in a separate blog. Testing people is only half the story. It gives us information on who is infected, but to minimize the spread of infection other measures must be introduced alongside it. Contact tracing is one of these measures.

WHAT IS CONTACT TRACING

Most people who fall ill or test positive for COVID can spread the virus 2-3 days before getting the first symptoms. They can unintentionally infect the people they meet in public or work with. If infected, these people can also spread the infection without knowing it, and this leads to a rapid spread of COVID in the community, as we saw at the start of this pandemic.

Lockdown has been very good at reducing R0 (rate of infection spread), but this is done crudely by physically keeping people separated in their own homes. As R0 reduces and lockdown restrictions ease, this will no longer be feasible. By aggressively testing the population we can identify people who may be infected and instruct them and their household to remain in lockdown.

Contact tracing aims to identify the people who have been in close proximity to a person who has tested positive. This is traditionally done by questioning the infected person about their recent travel, people they met, where they work, and so on. These contacts are then instructed to isolate as well and can be tested to confirm infection. By preventing these potentially infected patients from spreading the infection, the R0 decreases and the second peak in infections is prevented.

This is not a new concept and is used often for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis or sexually transmitted infections. It has also been used in previous pandemics including 2003 SARS outbreak. In 2014 Liberia experienced one of the largest contact tracing efforts in history, with 25,000 people identified annually. Similarly in the US 29,000 people were monitored by state and local health departments after returning from West Africa, and this laid the groundwork for future COVID-19 contact tracing efforts.

The WHO has laid out guidelines for identifying potential contacts, including:

Being within 1 metre of a COVID-19 case for >15 minutes;
Direct physical contact with a COVID-19 case;
Providing direct care for patients with COVID-19 disease without using proper personal protective equipment (PPE);

COVID TRACING

Today countries have updated their methodology for contact tracing, utilizing technology and smartphones to increase the accuracy and volume of data available to public health officials.

South Korea had contact tracing plans in place due to the MERS epidemic in 2015, and this was built upon for COVID. Contact tracing utilizes smartphone GPS data, credit card transaction records, and surveillance camera footage. At Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, there are walkthrough facilities to test people with symptoms of COVID and follow up those without symptoms in 3 days. New arrivals also have to download a government smartphone app to track their location and provide info on symptoms.

Singapore’s mobile app also utilizes Bluetooth data to determine devices that have been in close proximity to the infected persons’ phone and tracking these devices can identify potential contacts. It has over 1.1 million users, just under one-fifth of the country’s population.

Apple and Google together own almost the entire mobile operating system market with their respective iOS and Android platforms. They have worked together to create a framework that can allow governments to efficiently create and utilize contact tracing apps. Their efforts use Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. Nearby devices that wirelessly “shake hands” create randomly generated codes without any user-identifiable details (name, location etc). Based off Bluetooth data it can provide an estimate on distance and length of contact. If one of the devices is identified as belonging to an infected person, all devices that have been in close proximity are alerted.

LIMITATIONS

There are limitations present, both with the methodology used and with contact tracing itself. For one, it is quite a laborious and expensive process, and works well when there are low levels of infection in the community. During pandemics, it can quickly overwhelm the contact tracing departments if they are not adequately prepared and provide excessive information that cannot be utilized effectively. It is also not useful during a lockdown, as the lockdown itself artificially lowers infectivity. Instead, it must be implemented once the peak has passed.

Effective contact tracing is also expensive and labor-intensive. The state of Massachusetts has budgeted $44 million for its contact tracing program with 2,000 tracers. If implemented nationally it would cost the US an estimated $3.6 billion and require as many as 300,000 tracers. For app-based contact tracing to work around 80% of the population needs to have the app installed, and we have seen even small countries like Singapore struggle to push past 20%.

Finally, a major issue is a privacy. Poorly coded apps with little transparency can fail to anonymize vital personally identifiable data. This may be accessed by third parties or sold on to others, putting the privacy of millions of people at risk. There are also concerns by privacy watchdogs on the unfettered access by governments to this data, and whether this can be used in an oppressive manor.

If implemented correctly contact tracing has the potential to have a significant impact on reducing infectivity and allowing states and countries to open up their economies quickly and safely. Of course, this depends on the widespread use of contact tracing, and people abiding by government suggestions. Sadly, in the news, it is now too common to see resistance to basic measures such as use of masks in public, so we will have to see whether contact tracing will have any better success.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

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Importance of Hydration for Organs: How Water Keeps the Body Functioning

Water is the most essential nutrient for human survival, yet it is often the most neglected. Every cell, tissue and organ in the body depends on adequate hydration to function properly. The importance of hydration for organs becomes clear when we understand how even mild dehydration can disrupt critical physiological processes.

In India’s climate, with high temperatures and humidity in many regions, dehydration risk is especially high, making conscious hydration a daily health priority.

Why Water Is Vital for the Human Body

The human body is made up of approximately 60 percent water. This water:

transports nutrients and oxygen
regulates body temperature
removes waste products
supports metabolic reactions

Without adequate hydration, organ systems begin to struggle.

Hydration and Kidney Health

The kidneys are among the most hydration-dependent organs.

Proper hydration:

helps kidneys filter blood efficiently
flushes out toxins and waste
reduces risk of kidney stones

Chronic dehydration forces kidneys to concentrate urine, increasing strain and long-term damage risk. According to Indian Council of Medical Research data, dehydration is a major contributor to kidney stone formation in India.

Brain Function and Hydration

The brain is highly sensitive to hydration levels.

Even mild dehydration can cause:

headaches
difficulty concentrating
memory issues
irritability

Studies published in the Lancet show that dehydration negatively affects cognitive performance and mood, even before thirst becomes noticeable.

Heart and Circulatory System

Hydration plays a critical role in cardiovascular health.

Adequate water intake:

maintains blood volume
supports smooth circulation
reduces strain on the heart

Dehydration thickens blood, making the heart work harder and potentially increasing the risk of low blood pressure, dizziness and cardiovascular stress.

Digestive System and Hydration

Water supports digestion at every stage.

It helps:

break down food
absorb nutrients
prevent constipation

Chronic low water intake is linked to digestive discomfort, bloating and poor gut motility.

Liver Function and Detoxification

The liver relies on water to:

metabolise nutrients
detoxify harmful substances
support metabolic balance

Inadequate hydration slows detoxification processes and increases metabolic strain.

Muscle and Joint Health

Muscles and joints contain significant water content.

Hydration:

prevents muscle cramps
supports joint lubrication
reduces injury risk

Dehydrated muscles fatigue faster and recover more slowly.

Skin as an Organ and Hydration

The skin is the body’s largest organ.

Adequate hydration:

maintains skin elasticity
supports barrier function
reduces dryness and irritation

While water alone is not a cure for skin problems, chronic dehydration worsens skin health.

Hydration and Immune Function

Water supports immune health by:

enabling transport of immune cells
aiding removal of toxins
supporting lymphatic circulation

WHO recognises hydration as a foundational element of immune system support.

Effects of Dehydration on Multiple Organs

Dehydration affects the body systemically.

Common effects include:

fatigue
dizziness
reduced urine output
dark-coloured urine
dry mouth and eyes

Severe dehydration can lead to organ failure if untreated.

Why Dehydration Often Goes Unnoticed

Many people confuse thirst with hunger or fatigue.

Risk factors include:

busy work schedules
excessive caffeine intake
high temperatures
inadequate fluid intake

By the time thirst is felt, dehydration has already begun.

Hydration Needs Vary by Individual

Water requirements depend on:

age
body size
physical activity
climate
health conditions

General guidelines suggest 2–3 litres daily for adults, but individual needs may vary.

Hydration and Chronic Disease Prevention

Proper hydration supports prevention of:

kidney disease
urinary tract infections
constipation
heat-related illness

NITI Aayog and WHO highlight hydration as a basic preventive health measure.

Best Practices for Staying Hydrated

Effective hydration strategies include:

drinking water regularly throughout the day
increasing intake during heat or physical activity
consuming water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables
limiting sugary and caffeinated beverages

Consistency matters more than quantity in a single sitting.

Signs You May Need More Water

Watch for:

frequent fatigue
headaches
dry skin
reduced urination
poor concentration

These are early indicators of dehydration.

Role of Preventive Health Awareness

Preventive healthcare focuses on simple daily habits.

Hydration:

costs nothing
supports every organ
reduces disease risk

Small habits deliver large long-term benefits.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Consult a healthcare professional if experiencing:

persistent dehydration symptoms
kidney or urinary issues
dizziness or fainting
chronic fatigue

Underlying conditions may require medical evaluation.

Conclusion

The importance of hydration for organs cannot be overstated. Water supports kidney filtration, brain function, heart circulation, digestion, immunity and overall metabolic balance. Even mild dehydration disrupts organ performance and increases health risks over time. In busy modern lifestyles, consciously prioritising daily hydration is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect vital organs and maintain long-term health. Consistent water intake is not just a habit—it is a foundation for organ health and wellbeing.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Hydration and Kidney Health Studies
World Health Organization (WHO) – Water Intake and Health Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Nutrition and Lifestyle Data
Lancet – Hydration, Cognitive Function and Organ Health Research
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Lifestyle Recommendations
Statista – Global Hydration and Health Trends

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