%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine %D 2020 %T Fecal-Oral Transmission of COVID-19 in India %A Allyson Goff %A Akram Ahmad %A Isha Patel %K Nil %X

Although the spread of COVID-19 through droplets, surface contact and aerosolized transmission has been well-publicized, the fecal-oral route is yet another identified method of transmission. According to a meta-analysis by the New England Journal of Medicine, it was found that fecal viral shedding continues throughout the disease, even after nasopharyngeal tests appear negative. Moreover, gastrointestinal symptoms seem to be common for COVID-19 patients, with a prevalence of approximately 18%.[1,2] It was also found that patients with digestive symptoms experience significantly longer hospital stays.[3] As India’s number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase, concerns about fecal-oral transmission are being raised in a country that has the highest open defecation rates in the world, where approximately 620 million people defecate in the open. It is a problem that comes with severe public health consequences, including diarrhea, high child mortality, spread of diseases, malnutrition and stunting of growth.[4] Public health officials should be concerned about how this will affect India’s transmission of COVID-19. Read more.....

%B Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine %V 6 %P 18-19 %8 June 2020 %G eng %N 2 %9 Editorial %& 18 %R 10.5530/jppcm.2020.2.6 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine %D 2020 %T To Suppress or to Mitigate COVID-19: That is the Question %A Anam Khan %A Allyson Goff %A Akram Ahmad %A Isha Patel %K Nil %X

In India, public health experts have been debating the most effective way of combating COVID-19 (or SARS-COV-2 virus) while balancing the amount of lives lost and trying to preserve the economy. This virus is particularly challenging for India as the population is so large, and the healthcare system is still developing to meet the needs of its citizens. While social distancing has been and is being widely practiced worldwide to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19, it is apparent that more aggressive public health measures are needed to further decrease the numbers of infected people. Already, India has extended its lockdown from March 24th to the end of May.[1] By better understanding how this virus propagates, as well as by considering the unique needs of India, experts can better determine the best measures to fight further spread. Read more.....

%B Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine %V 6 %P 20-21 %8 June 2020 %G eng %N 2 %9 Editorial %& 20 %R 10.5530/jppcm.2020.2.7