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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
1 minute read
By: Raj Dwivedi

Everything You Wanted To Know About Quarantine!

I have received many questions lately asking clarity around

· Can You Be Forced into Quarantine?

· how quarantines are imposed enforced during Corona Virus?

· Can the government impose a quarantine on anybody?

· Are quarantines, including self-isolating at home, voluntary or mandatory?

· Is there a right to appeal?

· What does the government provide during a quarantine?

· Are quarantines effective?

Here are some of the facts and details around Quarantine in US

· When it comes to the federal government, it can impose quarantines under the Public Health Service Act for two main reasons:

o to prevent the spread of communicable disease into the United States or between states.

· Quarantines are considered a measure of last resort when no preferable means is available to halt the spread of a deadly communicable disease.

· Those subject to quarantine should be either infectious or have been exposed to the disease, experts said.

· There is no blanket law, the laws vary by state and even locality.

· Voluntary or Mandatory? It is a bit of a gray area. It often seems voluntary until the person involved tries to leave, at which point health officials are likely to make it compulsory, experts said.

· The bottom line is that if a quarantine is not enforced and other people catch the fatal disease as a result, the local government could be held liable.

· Laws vary by state, but those who ignore the rule could face fines or jail time

· Local authorities often have some form of enforcement power, but usually try gentle persuasion to persuade people that it is for their good and the good of the community.

· An infected person blatantly ignoring an order might be forced to go into medical isolation — that is, some form of locked hospital ward.

· Scope of Change in Appeal process — States should have some manner of appeal process, and some require a court order from the outset. If there is no medical tribunal or other means for a second opinion, ultimately anyone could challenge a quarantine order in court through a writ of habeas corpus.

· Under C.D.C. rules, the federal government must test those confined within 72 hours and define the length of stay from the outset — two weeks for the coronavirus because that is the incubation period for the disease.

· The most glaring hole in American quarantine laws, experts said, is that there is no guaranteed salary. An employer could even fire a quarantined employee. President Trump has said that his administration would address financial relief for people quarantined.

· Quarantine Effectiveness — They generally help slow the spread of the disease but sometimes do not depending on the disease and the conditions of the quarantine, holding passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan appeared to create a kind of petri dish with more people infected.

· Historically In the United States, quarantines have been extremely rare. The last federal quarantine was in the early 1960s against a suspected smallpox outbreak. Instead the C.D.C. tends to issue health warnings, like advising pregnant women to avoid Southern Florida in 2016 during an outbreak of the Zika virus.

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Shortness of Breath Causes: From Common Triggers to Serious Health Conditions

Shortness of breath, medically known as dyspnea, is a symptom that ranges from mild discomfort during exertion to a distressing sensation of not getting enough air. In India, increasing air pollution, lifestyle diseases and respiratory infections have made breathlessness a frequent complaint across age groups. Understanding shortness of breath causes is essential to identify when it is harmless and when it signals a medical emergency.

What Is Shortness of Breath?

Shortness of breath refers to difficulty breathing or a feeling of air hunger.

It may present as:

rapid breathing
shallow breathing
tightness in the chest
inability to take a deep breath

The sensation can develop suddenly or gradually.

Common and Benign Causes of Shortness of Breath

Physical Exertion

During exercise, the body demands more oxygen.

Temporary breathlessness during:

climbing stairs
running
heavy physical work

is normal and resolves with rest.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Stress and anxiety alter breathing patterns.

Symptoms include:

rapid breathing
chest tightness
dizziness

These episodes often resolve with calming techniques.

Respiratory Causes of Shortness of Breath

Asthma

Asthma causes airway narrowing and inflammation.

Symptoms include:

wheezing
chest tightness
breathlessness during exertion or at night

Asthma is a leading cause of chronic breathlessness.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Risk factors include:

smoking
indoor air pollution
occupational exposure

WHO identifies COPD as a major cause of breathlessness in adults.

Respiratory Infections

Infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis reduce lung capacity.

Breathlessness may be accompanied by:

cough
fever
chest pain

Severe infections require urgent treatment.

Heart-Related Causes of Shortness of Breath

Heart Failure

The heart fails to pump blood efficiently.

This leads to:

fluid accumulation in lungs
breathlessness on exertion
breathlessness while lying flat

ICMR data shows heart disease as a major contributor to unexplained breathlessness.

Coronary Artery Disease

Reduced blood supply to the heart can cause:

breathlessness
chest discomfort
fatigue

This may occur even without chest pain in some individuals.

Blood and Metabolic Causes

Anemia

Low hemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery.

Common symptoms include:

fatigue
breathlessness on mild activity
pale skin

NFHS-5 highlights anemia as highly prevalent in India.

Thyroid Disorders

Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic demand, causing breathlessness.

Hypothyroidism may contribute indirectly through weight gain and reduced stamina.

Lung Circulation Disorders

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the lungs causes sudden, severe breathlessness.

This is a medical emergency and may be accompanied by:

chest pain
coughing blood
fainting

Immediate treatment is critical.

Lifestyle-Related Causes

Obesity

Excess body weight restricts lung expansion.

Breathlessness occurs due to:

increased oxygen demand
reduced lung volumes

Weight management improves breathing efficiency.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Poor physical conditioning reduces respiratory muscle strength.

Even mild exertion may cause breathlessness.

Environmental and Occupational Factors

Air Pollution

Pollutants irritate airways and reduce lung function.

Urban populations experience higher rates of breathlessness.

Workplace Exposure

Dust, chemicals and fumes increase respiratory risk.

Protective measures are essential in high-risk occupations.

When Shortness of Breath Is a Warning Sign

Seek urgent care if breathlessness:

starts suddenly
worsens rapidly
occurs at rest
is associated with chest pain, bluish lips or confusion

These may indicate life-threatening conditions.

How Shortness of Breath Is Diagnosed

Evaluation may include:

physical examination
chest imaging
blood tests
lung function tests
heart evaluation

Diagnosis focuses on identifying the root cause.

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Care

Prevention includes:

regular physical activity
pollution protection
smoking cessation
weight control
managing chronic conditions

Preventive healthcare reduces long-term risk.

Importance of Early Medical Evaluation

Delayed diagnosis can worsen outcomes, especially in:

heart disease
lung infections
anemia

Early care improves treatment success.

Conclusion

Shortness of breath causes range from temporary exertion and anxiety to serious heart, lung and blood disorders. While occasional breathlessness may be harmless, persistent or sudden symptoms should never be ignored. Understanding the underlying causes and seeking timely medical evaluation can prevent complications and save lives. Paying attention to changes in breathing is an essential step toward protecting overall health and wellbeing.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Respiratory and Cardiac Health Reports
World Health Organization (WHO) – Breathlessness and Chronic Disease Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Respiratory Health Data
Lancet – Dyspnea Evaluation and Outcomes Research
NITI Aayog – Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Reports
Statista – Respiratory Disease and Air Pollution Trends

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