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

Problems With Detecting The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (1)

The Novel Coronavirus Disease has been in the public eye for almost two months now, and a lot has been happening behind the scenes to understand this new outbreak. Several organizations have been working together with the World Health Organization and Officials from China to understand the symptoms and how the virus causes the disease, track the number of people infected by the virus and put in place public health measures to adequately mitigate the potential dangers this disease can bring with it. In this post we will discuss the new updates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

IDENTIFYING COVID-19

As of 17 February, there have been 70, 365 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China, with 1772 deaths, which gives it an estimated fatality rate of 2.5%. Now whilst these are official figures, the actual estimate may differ from this. This is because the areas that have been heavily affected especially the Hubei region, have had shortages of coronavirus testing kits, with demands far outstripping supply. Testing is required to not only identify patients for treatment but also for isolation and quarantine. This is a key step in preventing the rapid spread of disease amongst the population. Understanding the spread of a new disease also helps scientists create accurate disease models that can determine the infectivity, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, and predict where the infection may strike next. The government authorities can use this information to prepare the surrounding regions, and ensure the impact of the disease is lessened.

Current testing requires swabs to be taken from the patients mouth and throat. This sample is then sent to laboratories, where the viral DNA is replicated in order to identify whether this DNA is from the coronavirus. Unfortunately, this is expensive, uses lots of reagents and can take two days. Even with laboratories working round the clock, running 6,000 tests a day, the workload is outstripping the health departments capacity. This leaves a large population of the Hubei Province with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 but with no way to formally diagnose the disease. There may be a significant under-reporting of cases simply because capacity does not exist to test everyone, and the disease burden may be considerably higher.

INNOVATION IN RESPONSE

In response to this doctors have started using CT scans to identify potentially infected patients. CT scans are a quick, non-invasive and readily available. By looking for lesions and signs of pneumonia in the patients lungs. Whilst this negates the need for testing strips, lesions are a fairly late sign of COVID-19, and so this method is not suitable for those who have recently been infected or have not yet shown these symptoms. In the Hubei Province however, with the drastic shortage of testing kits, clinical and radiological diagnosis is now being used to increase the rate of detection.

Manufacturers are also struggling to increase output of testing kits and reagents to match this demand, and the race is on to develop new rapid testing kits. Beijing has approved seven Biopharmaceutical companies to push forward with fast track development of testing kits. Liferiver, a Shanghai based biotech company, took just 20 days from development of its kit to launch. This process normally takes 3 years. China’s Nankai University announced on Monday a breakthrough in developing a rapid test kit that can identify infection among suspected patients within 15 minutes.

And it’s not just Chinese companies — a Singapore based biotech company has announced a portable kit that can detect the novel coronavirus as well as similar viruses responsible for MERS and SARS in a single 2 hour test. These innovations represent a massive step forward in identifying infected patients early in order to provide them the necessary treatment, and in accurately tracking the spread of the disease.

www.secondmedic.com

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Lifestyle Disease Prevention India: Protecting Health Through Proactive Care

Lifestyle diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), have become one of India’s most pressing health challenges. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, thyroid disorders, fatty liver, and high cholesterol now affect millions-often starting at younger ages compared to previous generations. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), NCDs account for more than 60 percent of deaths in India. The good news: most lifestyle diseases are preventable with awareness, screening, and timely intervention.

SecondMedic supports a national shift from reactive to preventive healthcare through early detection, nutrition planning, lifestyle improvement, and chronic risk monitoring.

Why Lifestyle Disease Prevention Matters in India

1. Rising NCD Burden

Rapid urbanization, longer working hours, stress, and processed foods have accelerated lifestyle disease growth.

2. Younger Population at Risk

More Indians in their 20s and 30s are developing prediabetes, fatty liver, and high cholesterol.

3. Silent Disease Progression

Many conditions show no symptoms in the early stages.

4. High Long-Term Medical Cost

Treatment for advanced diabetes or heart disease is expensive compared to prevention.

5. Impact on Productivity

Organizations face rising health-related absenteeism and reduced performance.

Prevention is not optional-it is a necessity.

Major Lifestyle Diseases in India

1. Diabetes & Prediabetes

India has over 10 crore diabetics, with many unaware of their condition.

2. Hypertension

Known as the “silent killer,” it increases risk for heart attack and stroke.

3. Heart Disease

India sees one of the highest premature heart attack rates globally.

4. Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome

Poor diet and inactivity contribute to dangerous fat accumulation.

5. Fatty Liver Disease

Highly common even among non-alcoholic individuals.

6. Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid imbalances affect metabolism, weight, and mental health.

7. Stress & Sleep Disorders

Impact emotional stability and long-term health.

SecondMedic offers preventive screenings tailored for each of these risk areas.

Early Detection Through Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive checkups help detect abnormalities before they turn into chronic disease.

SecondMedic’s packages include:

CBC
Lipid profile
HbA1c
Thyroid panel
Liver function tests
Kidney profile
Cardiac markers
Vitamin D & B12
Hormone tests
ECG

These tests provide a comprehensive health snapshot.

Lifestyle Disease Prevention Strategies

1. Nutrition Management

A healthy diet is the foundation of prevention.
SecondMedic dietitians design personalized nutrition plans based on:

Age
Weight
Activity
Medical history

2. Regular Physical Activity

Movement reduces blood sugar, strengthens the heart, and improves metabolism.

3. Stress Management

Chronic stress increases cortisol, causing diabetes and weight gain.
SecondMedic offers:

Online mental health counselling
Anxiety management
Sleep routines

4. Avoiding Tobacco & Alcohol

These significantly increase risk of cancer, fatty liver, and heart disease.

5. Healthy Weight Maintenance

Targeted routines help maintain optimal BMI and waist circumference.

6. Adequate Sleep

Poor sleep leads to hormonal imbalance and weak immunity.

7. Regular Health Checkups

Monitoring every 6-12 months helps track changes early.

Technology in Lifestyle Disease Prevention

India’s digital health ecosystem supports smarter prevention through:

Wearables
Fitness trackers
AI-based risk prediction
Digital symptom assessment
Remote monitoring devices

SecondMedic integrates these tools for continuous care.

Why SecondMedic for Lifestyle Disease Prevention

1. Comprehensive Screening

All major biomarkers, organ function tests, and metabolic indicators.

2. Expert Interpretation

Doctors analyze results and provide actionable insights.

3. Personalized Health Plans

Nutrition + fitness + lifestyle guidance.

4. Continuous Monitoring

Follow-ups ensure long-term success.

5. Integrated Telemedicine Support

Patients can speak to specialists anytime.

Conclusion

Lifestyle disease prevention India is crucial for improving long-term health and reducing the national burden of chronic diseases. Through early screening, targeted intervention, better nutrition, exercise routines, and continuous monitoring, individuals can dramatically reduce their risk. SecondMedic offers a complete ecosystem of preventive healthcare to help Indians stay healthy and proactive.

To begin your preventive health journey, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

ICMR - India NCD burden
WHO - Global NCD prevention guidelines
Statista - Lifestyle disease trends in India
NITI Aayog - Preventive health model
SecondMedic preventive care insights

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