• Published on: Jan 29, 2022
  • 2 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Understanding Quarantine

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What Is Quarantine?

Quarantine is the segregation of people who are infected or suspected of being infected with a particular disease.

It is also the isolation of patients with communicable diseases to prevent their spread. The purpose of quarantine is to protect the public from exposure to potentially deadly diseases. Quarantine is for people who don’t have symptoms but who might have been exposed to the coronavirus. The idea is to keep you from unknowingly infecting others.

Who Needs to Quarantine?

You probably don't need to quarantine yourself, but if you are close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus or just got back from a country where this deadly virus is spreading then it's best that we keep our distance until things calm down.

The reason for this is twofold. First, it's important to prevent the spread of the virus. Secondly, it's important to give those who are an infected time to recover without exposing others to the virus.

There are also a few other groups of people who may need to consider quarantining themselves, such as healthcare workers and those who work with livestock. Anyone who’s been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19 should self-quarantine, even if you’ve had the virus before.

“Close contact” means you did one or more of these things:

  • Were within 6 feet of the person for at least 15 minutes
  • Cared for the person at home
  • Touched, hugged, or kissed them
  • Shared eating or drinking utensils with them
  • Got droplets on you when they sneezed or coughed

According to the CDC, you’ll need to quarantine:

  • If You’re 18 or older and have completed the primary series of the recommended vaccines. But you have not received a recommended booster shot after you became eligible.
  • If You received the vaccine over 2 months ago but haven’t received the recommended booster shot.
  • If You’re not vaccinated or haven’t yet completed your first full round of vaccines.

You don’t need to quarantine:

  • If You’re 18 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional shots recommended for immunocompromised people.
  • If You’re 5-17 years old and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • You had COVID-19 within the last 90 days. This should have been confirmed using a viral test.

However, if you were exposed to someone who tested positive, wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after exposure.

How to Quarantine at Home

There are a few simple steps you can take to quarantine at home:

1.Sanitize your environment - Make sure to clean all surfaces and objects in your home that may have meet the disease. You can use a disinfectant or bleach solution to do this.

2.Isolate yourself - You should isolate yourself from other people in your home and avoid contact with anyone who may be infected.

3.Monitor your symptoms - Be on the lookout for any symptoms of the disease and report them immediately to your doctor.

4.Stay hydrated - Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to help keep your body healthy and fight off any potential infections.

How Long Does Quarantine Last?

Stay home for at least 5 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Wear masks when around others so that you do not pass on the infection to them!

For 10 days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19, watch for fever (100.4 F or higher), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms.

If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your results. If you test positive, follow isolation recommendations below.

If you don't develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after your last exposure. Positive tests allow for limited movement in and out of homes but continue wearing protective gear around others until 10 more are complete."

If you test positive for COVID-19, isolation is necessary. The recommended period of time without contact should be at least 5 days from the date that your symptoms began and may also need to extend beyond 10 if they continue after this length time has passed; however, it’s important not make assumptions about how long an individual will remain infected before developing others signs/symptoms because everyone's situation varies!

When you get the new coronavirus, your quarantine lasts five days because that’s how long it takes to know if you have symptoms. If there are no signs of illness after this time period has passed then treatments for virus should be considered over with just one quick visit from our doctors!

Read Blog
Digital Pharmacy Platforms India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Medicine Access Through Technology

Digital Pharmacy Platforms India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Medicine Access Through Technology

India’s healthcare system is rapidly digitizing, and one of the most impactful innovations is the rise of digital pharmacy platforms. These platforms make it easier for people to order medicines online, manage prescriptions, and access healthcare services without visiting a physical store.

As chronic diseases, online consultations, and digital health records become more common, digital pharmacy solutions are now a vital part of India's healthcare infrastructure. SecondMedic plays a key role in this evolution by providing secure, fast, and integrated digital pharmacy services.

What Are Digital Pharmacy Platforms?

Digital pharmacy platforms are online systems that allow users to:

  • Order prescription medicines

  • Upload or sync digital prescriptions

  • Schedule refills

  • Purchase OTC products

  • Track orders

  • Access pharmacist support
     

Instead of visiting a traditional pharmacy, users can manage medication needs from anywhere in India.

Why Digital Pharmacies Matter in India

India sees high demand for medicines due to:

  • Rising chronic diseases

  • Aging population

  • Urban mobility challenges

  • Increasing telemedicine adoption

  • Growing digital health awareness
     

Digital pharmacies bridge the gap between medical consultation and medication access.

Key Benefits of Digital Pharmacy Platforms

1. Convenience and Accessibility

Patients can order medicines anytime, especially helpful for elderly individuals or those living in remote areas.

2. Time and Cost Savings

Digital ordering eliminates long queues, multiple store visits, and pricing uncertainties.

3. Verified, Authentic Medicines

Reputed platforms ensure drugs come from licensed pharmacies with full batch traceability.

4. E-Prescription Integration

Digital prescriptions reduce manual errors and support seamless ordering.

5. Chronic Disease Medication Management

Automated refill reminders and scheduled deliveries help maintain treatment consistency.

6. Privacy and Discretion

Useful for sensitive medication categories where users may prefer confidential ordering.

The Growing Digital Pharmacy Market in India

According to Statista 2025:

  • The Indian e-pharmacy market is expected to reach USD 10 billion by 2027.

  • Nearly 35 percent of urban households now use digital pharmacy services.

  • Chronic disease patients are the largest user segment.
     

Government initiatives like ABDM also promote secure and standardized digital prescriptions.

SecondMedic’s Digital Pharmacy Ecosystem

SecondMedic integrates pharmacy services seamlessly within its broader digital health platform.

1. Online Medicine Ordering

Users can order medicines directly through the SecondMedic app or website.

2. E-Prescription Sync

Prescriptions from SecondMedic doctors sync automatically, reducing errors and delays.

3. Verified Inventory

All medicines are sourced from certified pharmacies with temperature-controlled storage and valid expiry cycles.

4. Chronic Care Refill System

For diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and cardiac conditions, patients can schedule monthly refills.

5. Real-Time Tracking

Users get live updates on order status, dispatch, and delivery.

6. Secure Payment Gateway

Digital payments are supported through encrypted channels, ensuring safety and transparency.

7. Integration with Medical Consultations

After virtual consultations, prescribed medicines can be ordered instantly on the same platform.

How Digital Pharmacy Platforms Support Telemedicine

Telemedicine has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare. Digital pharmacies complement this by:

  • Enabling immediate access to prescribed medicines

  • Ensuring continuity of care

  • Reducing patient dependency on physical pharmacies

  • Streamlining doctor-to-pharmacy communication
     

Together, they create an efficient, patient-centered care loop.

Challenges in India’s Pharmacy System and How Digital Platforms Solve Them

1. Fragmented Pharmaceutical Distribution

Digital systems bring transparency and accountability.

2. Prescription Mismanagement

E-prescriptions minimize errors and duplication.

3. Limited Accessibility in Rural Areas

Digital ordering delivers medicines directly to underserved regions.

4. Inconsistent Medicine Availability

Real-time inventory ensures availability and alternatives.

5. Lack of Patient Awareness

Digital platforms offer information on dosage, interactions, and side effects.

Regulatory Framework for Digital Pharmacies in India

To ensure safety and compliance, digital pharmacies follow:

  • Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940)

  • Pharmacy Practice Regulations

  • ABDM standards for digital prescriptions

  • DPDP Act for data security

  • CDSCO guidelines for online pharmacies
     

SecondMedic maintains full compliance with regulatory requirements.

Future of Digital Pharmacy in India

The sector is expected to grow due to:

  • AI-based medicine recommendations

  • Smart refill systems

  • Blockchain for supply chain verification

  • Automated pharmacy logistics

  • Drone-based delivery pilots in some states
     

SecondMedic is actively building tools to support next-generation pharmacy automation and integrated digital care.

Why Patients Trust SecondMedic’s Pharmacy System

  1. Authentic and verified medicines

  2. Transparent pricing and secure payments

  3. Direct connection with healthcare consultations

  4. Support for chronic care medication

  5. Nationwide delivery capability

  6. User-friendly ordering process

  7. Compliance with all digital health safety standards
     

SecondMedic brings reliability, convenience, and safety under one unified digital healthcare platform.

Conclusion

Digital pharmacy platforms are redefining how India accesses medicines. They improve convenience, enhance safety, support telemedicine, and empower patients to manage chronic conditions more effectively. SecondMedic’s digital pharmacy provides an integrated solution that combines e-prescriptions, secure ordering, and nationwide delivery to simplify healthcare access.

To order medicines or explore digital pharmacy services, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

  1. Statista – India E-Pharmacy Market Outlook 2025

  2. IMARC Group – Digital Healthcare Market India 2025

  3. NITI Aayog – Digital Health Tech Landscape 2024

  4. ABDM – Digital Prescription Guidelines

  5. FICCI – Healthcare Innovation Report 2024

See all

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