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Published on: Jun 10, 2021
1 minute read
By: Dr Rachana Choudhary

How To Travel Safely During COVID Times.

As more people are vaccinated for COVID-19, many are looking forward to being able to travel again. While many restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 has not gone away. So how safe is it to travel?

Vaccination- So what is the most important step to ensuring safe travel Without a doubt, the most important thing people can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated for COVID-19. I recommend that all eligible people get vaccinated for COVID-19. That is going to dramatically decrease your risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and also dramatically decrease the risk that even if you were infected, you could transmit it to others.

Masks – The most important thing is to know if fully vaccinated travelers still required to wear a mask on an airplane. Yes, because we still have a considerable number of people in who are not vaccinated yet. And on airplanes, people are in close proximity for a longer period of time.

Beyond getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and wearing a mask in airports, and on planes, buses, and trains it's also still important to practice good hand hygiene and keep your area clean with disinfectant wipes.

Monitor Symptoms & Quarantine - What steps should we take when you return from travel? When people return from travel, some may wonder whether they should be tested for COVID-19. The need to test depends on where they're traveling from. There's no need to be tested and there's need to quarantine. Most importantly we should continue to monitor for symptoms.

If at any time during or after travel people start to develop symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, such as, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell, they should be evaluated by a provider and likely be tested for COVID-19.

What should people who are traveling with children do?

For families looking to plan a summer getaway with children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19, they can still travel safely. It just takes a little bit of thought and planning. If you have children who are unvaccinated, that is probably not the time to bring them to areas where lots of people are congregating because we know they're still at risk of getting infected with COVID-19 if other people in that area are not vaccinated for COVID-19 and can transmit the virus. Even if your children are fastidious masking, there's still a risk.

If you have unvaccinated children, I think it's still safe to fly. But of course, they will always be masked. If you go to places that are more outdoors in more open space, where you're not congregated with lots of other people, I think it's very safe. You just have to think through the steps of what's going to happen on the vacation and position things so that you're not putting your unvaccinated children at risk."

Whether traveling or just attending events with large amounts of people, the bottom line is precautions still need to be taken.

We still do have people getting infected with COVID-19. We still have people being hospitalized. And, unfortunately, we still have people who are dying, as well. So, we're not completely done with this. We still have to be careful.

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Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetics plays a significant role in determining an individual’s risk for various diseases. In India, where chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders are increasing rapidly, genetic predisposition testing has emerged as a powerful preventive tool. It helps individuals understand inherited risk factors long before symptoms appear, allowing timely intervention.

SecondMedic offers guided genetic screening to help patients uncover DNA-based risks and take proactive control of their long-term health.

What Is Genetic Predisposition Testing?

Genetic predisposition testing analyzes a person’s DNA to identify mutations, variations, or inherited markers associated with increased disease risk. It does not diagnose a disease but reveals how likely an individual is to develop certain conditions.

What the test identifies:

Gene mutations
Family-linked disease patterns
Hereditary cancer markers
Metabolic and cardiovascular risks
Neurological conditions
Autoimmune predispositions

These insights help individuals and doctors make informed preventive health decisions.

Why Genetic Testing Is Growing in India

1. High prevalence of lifestyle and hereditary diseases

India is the diabetes capital of the world, and many metabolic disorders have genetic roots.

2. Increasing cancer burden

BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes are being detected more often.

3. Awareness about preventive healthcare

People want to act early rather than wait for disease onset.

4. Growth of digital healthcare

Easy access through telemedicine platforms like SecondMedic.

5. Rising chronic cases at younger ages

Genetic predispositions often accelerate early onset of disease.

What Diseases Can Genetic Testing Predict?

1. Cancer Risk

Includes hereditary cancers such as:

Breast
Ovarian
Colorectal
Prostate
Pancreatic

BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome genes are key markers.

2. Heart Disease & Hypertension

Genes that influence:

Cholesterol levels
Plaque formation
Blood pressure regulation

3. Diabetes

Genes that affect insulin sensitivity and metabolic function.

4. Obesity

Markers linked to appetite regulation and fat storage.

5. Neurological Disorders

Including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy predispositions.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Genes related to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders.

7. Drug Response (Pharmacogenomics)

DNA determines how the body reacts to certain medications.

How Genetic Predisposition Testing Works

Step 1: Sample Collection

Usually saliva, blood, or buccal swab.

Step 2: DNA Sequencing

Advanced technology identifies variations in your genome.

Step 3: Risk Analysis

Gene mutations are mapped to known disease risks.

Step 4: Expert Interpretation

SecondMedic’s genetic counsellors and doctors review results.

Step 5: Preventive Plan

Includes recommended lifestyle changes, screenings, and monitoring.

Benefits of Genetic Predisposition Testing

1. Detect Risk Before Symptoms

Allows decades of preventive action.

2. Personalized Health Planning

Diet, exercise, and medical screening tailored to DNA.

3. Early Cancer Detection

Essential for women with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk.

4. Family Health Insights

Identifies conditions that may affect children and siblings.

5. Improved Treatment Outcomes

Knowing your risk helps doctors monitor you more closely.

6. Better Drug Selection

Pharmacogenomics ensures medications match your genetic profile.

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing?

People with family history of cancer
Individuals whose relatives had early heart attacks
Families with diabetes across generations
Women with breast or ovarian cancer history
Couples planning pregnancy
People with unexplained chronic conditions
Individuals wanting personalized preventive healthcare

Limitations of Genetic Testing

1. Not a diagnosis

It shows probability, not certainty.

2. Environmental and lifestyle factors still matter

Genes interact with habits and environment.

3. Requires professional interpretation

Raw results without counselling can be confusing.

SecondMedic ensures accurate guidance through experienced specialists.

How SecondMedic Supports Genetic Testing

1. End-to-End Genetic Screening

From sample collection to detailed analysis.

2. Expert Review

Genetic counselors and doctors explain every risk factor.

3. Personalized Preventive Plan

Nutrition, exercise, and screening based on DNA.

4. Confidential Reporting

All data is securely stored.

5. Integrated Preventive Tracking

Follow-up tests and monitoring for high-risk individuals.

Future of Genetic Testing in India

AI-based genome interpretation
Affordable whole-genome sequencing
Predictive analytics for early cancer
Family-wide health risk mapping
Integration with digital health IDs under ABDM

SecondMedic aims to make genetic screening widely accessible and scientifically guided.

Conclusion

Genetic predisposition testing India empowers individuals by revealing inherited disease risks long before symptoms develop. It supports preventive healthcare, early cancer detection, and personalized wellness planning. With platforms like SecondMedic offering expert-guided genetic testing, Indians can now take proactive control of their long-term health.

To book your genetic test, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

ICMR – Genetic research insights
NIH – Genetic testing guidelines
WHO – Genomic medicine developments
Statista – DNA testing market India
SecondMedic genetic health studies

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