Chapters authored
Convalescent Plasma: An Evidence-Based Old Therapy to Treat Novel Coronavirus Patients
Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019) is a highly infectious viral outbreak that has so far infected more than 110 million people worldwide. Fast viral transmission and high infection rates have severely affected the entire population, especially the old aged and comorbid individuals leaving significantly less time to find some effective treatment strategy. In these challenging times, convalescent plasma (CP) therapy came as a ray of hope to save humankind. It is a form of passive immunization that has been used to treat various infectious diseases since 1890, including the 1918 Spanish flu, 2002/03 SARS-CoV, 2009 H1N1, 2012 MERS-CoV, and 2014 Ebola outbreak. The transfusion includes administration of CP containing a high value of neutralizing antibodies against the virus in hospitalized patients. This chapter summarizes the potential outcome of CP therapy in the treatment of nCoV-2019 patients.
Part of the book: Biotechnology to Combat COVID-19
Perspective Chapter: Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 – A Global Scenario
COVID-19 outbreak reminds us of nationwide lockdowns, home-confinement, overburdened hospitals, country wide curfews, violent and chaotic health-facilities and domestic scenario and gradual but steady rise of stigmatizing factors like fear of isolation, racism, discrimination and marginalization cumulatively intensifying the unavoidable stress, fear, anxiety, depression, poor life quality, substance abuse resulting in enhanced mortality risk particularly among the health-compromised population. With objectives to analyze the psychosocial impact of COVID19 and to delineate the process of impact, by looking into its pathophysiology a literature review was carried on. Various impacts and adaptations were found. With a proper mapping algorithm, their responses can be understood. Different states of individual showed different responses to the same stress creating a gamut of responses which led to different socio-economic, socio-political, professional and psychosocial impact. Identification of stress, mapping of response and a better preparedness from experience can all help us in preventing and controlling it next time.
Part of the book: Psychosocial, Educational, and Economic Impacts of COVID-19
A Doctor’s Training in COVID Era
Doctors have severely been impacted by COVID19 not only by overburden but also by a shift in training programmes. With objective to identify the impact of COVID19 on the present training programme of doctors and delineate the possible future impact and find ways to reduce it, a literature review was carried on. Various impacts and adaptations were found. These could be different for different individuals, specialities, and regions based on available resources and the direct impact of COVID19. Although long-term effects are yet to be seen, it has raised several brows, especially questioning the traditional way of training and competency of individuals trained in specialities. We recommend a hybrid model—a mixture of virtual and real training and assessment—for medical education even in the post-COVID era to reap the benefits of both.
Part of the book: Psychosocial, Educational, and Economic Impacts of COVID-19