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

Understanding Quarantine

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!

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Asthma Symptoms in Adults: Early Signs, Triggers, and When to Seek Care

Asthma is often perceived as a childhood condition, but a significant number of cases develop or persist into adulthood. In India, adult asthma is increasingly recognised due to rising air pollution, occupational exposure and lifestyle-related risk factors. Unfortunately, asthma symptoms in adults are frequently misdiagnosed as recurrent infections, allergies or age-related breathlessness, leading to delayed treatment.

Understanding adult asthma symptoms is critical for early diagnosis, effective control and prevention of severe attacks.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. In asthma, the airways become:

inflamed
narrow
overly sensitive to triggers

This leads to difficulty in breathing, especially during exposure to specific stimuli.

Why Adult Asthma Is Often Missed

Adult asthma symptoms may:

appear gradually
vary in severity
mimic common respiratory conditions

According to Indian Council of Medical Research and WHO data, many adults remain undiagnosed for years, increasing the risk of complications.

Common Asthma Symptoms in Adults

Wheezing

A high-pitched whistling sound while breathing, especially during exhalation, is a classic asthma sign.

Shortness of Breath

Adults with asthma often feel:

breathless during routine activities
difficulty taking deep breaths

This may worsen at night or early morning.

Chest Tightness

Many describe a sensation of pressure or tightness in the chest, which can be mistaken for heart-related issues.

Chronic Cough

A persistent cough, especially:

at night
early morning
after exercise

is a common but overlooked asthma symptom.

Symptoms That Worsen With Triggers

Asthma symptoms often intensify after exposure to specific triggers.

Air Pollution and Smoke

Urban pollution, vehicle emissions and indoor smoke significantly worsen asthma symptoms in adults.

Allergens

Dust mites, pollen, mould and pet dander are common triggers.

Respiratory Infections

Viral infections can trigger asthma flare-ups or reveal undiagnosed asthma.

Physical Activity

Exercise-induced asthma causes breathlessness and wheezing during or after physical exertion.

Weather Changes

Cold air, humidity and sudden temperature changes can aggravate symptoms.

Adult-Onset Asthma

Adult-onset asthma differs from childhood asthma.

Characteristics include:

onset after age 20–30
less association with childhood allergies
more persistent symptoms
higher likelihood of severe disease

Occupational exposure and hormonal changes contribute to adult-onset asthma.

Risk Factors for Asthma in Adults

Several factors increase asthma risk:

long-term exposure to pollution
smoking or passive smoking
occupational chemicals or dust
obesity
family history of asthma
chronic sinusitis or allergies

Women may experience asthma onset or worsening during hormonal changes.

When Asthma Symptoms Become Serious

Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing:

severe breathlessness
difficulty speaking in full sentences
bluish lips or fingertips
rapid worsening of symptoms
poor response to usual inhalers

These signs indicate a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.

How Adult Asthma Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis includes:

detailed symptom history
physical examination
lung function tests (spirometry)
response to bronchodilators

Early diagnosis improves long-term outcomes.

Impact of Untreated Asthma

Untreated asthma can lead to:

frequent attacks
reduced lung function
sleep disturbances
missed workdays
reduced quality of life

According to Lancet respiratory studies, uncontrolled asthma increases hospitalisation risk.

Managing Asthma Symptoms in Adults

Effective asthma management focuses on:

identifying and avoiding triggers
using prescribed inhalers correctly
monitoring symptoms regularly
maintaining follow-up care

Asthma action plans help patients recognise worsening symptoms early.

Role of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare helps:

detect asthma early
assess lung function
guide lifestyle modifications

Regular health checkups are especially important for individuals with respiratory symptoms or occupational exposure.

Lifestyle Measures That Support Asthma Control

Helpful practices include:

avoiding smoking
improving indoor air quality
wearing masks in polluted environments
maintaining healthy weight
regular, moderate exercise

Lifestyle support complements medical treatment.

Mental Health and Asthma

Stress and anxiety can worsen asthma symptoms.

Stress management:

reduces symptom frequency
improves medication response

Holistic care improves asthma outcomes.

Importance of Medication Adherence

Asthma medications work best when:

taken regularly as prescribed
inhaler technique is correct

Skipping treatment increases flare-up risk.

Long-Term Outlook for Adults With Asthma

With proper management:

symptoms are well controlled
severe attacks are preventable
normal activity levels are achievable

Most adults with asthma lead active, productive lives.

Conclusion

Asthma symptoms in adults are often subtle, variable and easily mistaken for common respiratory problems. Wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and chronic cough should not be ignored, especially when triggered by pollution, exercise or weather changes. Early diagnosis, trigger control and consistent treatment are essential to prevent severe attacks and preserve lung health. Recognising adult asthma early empowers individuals to manage symptoms effectively and maintain a good quality of life.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Respiratory Disease and Asthma Studies
World Health Organization (WHO) – Asthma Management and Prevention Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Respiratory Health Indicators
Lancet Respiratory Medicine – Adult Asthma Outcomes and Management
NITI Aayog – Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Reports
Statista – Global Asthma Prevalence and Trends

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