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Published on: Nov 13, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

Using The Cellular Handshake Against The Virus

Using the cellular handshake against the virus

In early November an interesting study was published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, describing the treatment of a severe COVID-19 patient with human recombinant soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme-2. By using the treatment, it was possible to see the disappearance of the virus swiftly from the patient's serum, nose, and lungs, as well as a reduction in the patients’ inflammatory markers. How was this achieved? And why is this so intriguing.

When we look at treating viruses, there are several strategies at work. You can prevent its spread by the use of social distancing or masks, you can use medications that prevent its replication (such as Tamiflu). Or you can stop the virus from entering the cells, the first step in viral replication.

SARS-CoV-2 appears to enter human cells through the ACE2 receptor. ACE2 is a protein in the cell membrane found across the human body, especially the lungs, heart, kidney and small intestine. It function is related to the Renin-Angiotensin System, a mechanism by which the kidneys control your blood pressure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme converts angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. ACE 2 instead converts it to a protein that causes dilation of blood vessels. This likely protects these critical organs and ensure they receive sufficient blood to perform their tasks. ACE2 is being investigated as a possible target for blood pressure medications.

The study used a genetically modified soluble form of ACE2 that mimics the protein found on human cell membranes. By increasing its availability in the blood, the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to this protein, resulting in its inactivation, rather than entering lung cells and causing lung injury. Lab studies have shown that it can reduce viral growth by as much as 1000 to 5000 times, and phase 1 studies show it to be safe to use in people.

The actual described case was in a 45-year-old woman, hospitalized with COVID, suffering from severe shortness of breath, cough and fatigue. She was first treated with hydroxychloroquine and anticoagulants, but this proved ineffective, and the virus was causing increasing damage to her lungs. Nine days after her symptoms started, she received the ACE2 treatment for a week, with no side effects. This resulted in an increase in ACE2 activity (seen from her blood results), but also a marked decrease in multiple inflammatory markers associated with COVID-19, as well as a sharp decrease in COVID 19 numbers. Indeed, the viral load dropped from 32,000 per mL to just 270 per mL two days after treatment started. She was also able to produce antibodies against the virus, so this did not impair her from getting immunity.

It is certainly a very interesting case, though questions remain on how feasible it would be (as well as how expensive) to manufacture large quantities of this protein receptor for treatment use, as well as how it fairs in clinical trials.

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Secondmedic Lunch & Learns: How Combining Skill Building and Health Education Transforms Workplace Wellness

Corporate wellness is no longer limited to annual health checkups or fitness challenges. Modern organisations recognise that sustained employee wellbeing requires continuous learning, awareness and engagement. Secondmedic Lunch & Learns are designed around this philosophy, bringing together skill development and health education in a format that is practical, engaging and easy to implement.

By using informal lunchtime sessions, organisations create a safe, relaxed environment where employees can learn, ask questions and apply knowledge immediately.

What Are Lunch & Learn Sessions?

Lunch & Learn sessions are short, focused learning programs conducted during lunch hours.

They:

minimise disruption to work
encourage voluntary participation
promote informal learning

Secondmedic enhances this format by integrating health education with essential workplace skills.

Why Combine Skill Development with Health Education?

Health and performance are deeply interconnected.

Employees who understand:

stress management
nutrition
ergonomics
mental wellbeing

are better equipped to:

focus
collaborate
perform consistently

NITI Aayog workforce reports highlight that health literacy directly influences productivity and engagement.

The Growing Need for Workplace Health Education in India

India faces a rising burden of lifestyle diseases.

According to ICMR and NFHS-5:

a large portion of the working population has undiagnosed risk factors
stress and sedentary behaviour are increasing
health awareness remains low despite access to information

Workplaces offer the ideal platform for preventive health education.

How Secondmedic Lunch & Learns Are Structured

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns follow a structured yet flexible format:

short expert-led presentations
interactive discussions
real-life case examples
practical takeaways

Sessions are designed to be concise, engaging and actionable.

Health Topics Commonly Covered

Health education topics include:

preventive health and early detection
stress and mental wellbeing
nutrition for working professionals
sleep health and fatigue management
posture and ergonomic safety

These topics address everyday challenges faced by employees.

Skill-Focused Learning Areas

Alongside health, sessions also support professional growth through:

communication skills
time and energy management
resilience and adaptability
decision-making under pressure

This dual focus enhances overall workplace capability.

Benefits for Employees

Improved Health Awareness

Employees learn how daily habits affect long-term health.

Practical Skill Application

Skills taught can be used immediately at work and home.

Higher Engagement

Interactive sessions increase participation and interest.

Reduced Stress

Knowledge empowers employees to manage stress better.

Benefits for Employers

Stronger Wellness Culture

Learning-driven wellness signals genuine organisational care.

Better Productivity

Healthy, skilled employees perform more consistently.

Reduced Absenteeism

Preventive education lowers illness-related leave.

High ROI Initiative

Lunch & Learns are cost-effective and scalable.

EY-FICCI reports show that preventive wellness programs deliver long-term savings for organisations.

Why Lunch Hours Work Best

Lunchtime sessions:

feel informal and relaxed
encourage open participation
avoid meeting fatigue

Employees are more receptive when learning is integrated naturally into the day.

Virtual and Hybrid Lunch & Learns

Secondmedic adapts sessions for:

in-office teams
remote employees
hybrid workplaces

This ensures consistent learning experiences across locations.

Role of Medical and Subject Experts

Sessions are led by:

doctors
nutritionists
mental health professionals
trained facilitators

Expert-led content ensures accuracy and trust.

Encouraging Behaviour Change Through Education

Information alone does not drive change.

Secondmedic focuses on:

practical examples
small habit shifts
realistic goal setting

Lancet behaviour change studies confirm that interactive education improves long-term adherence.

Measuring Impact of Lunch & Learns

Organisations often observe:

higher session attendance
improved employee feedback
increased health screening participation
better engagement scores

These metrics demonstrate sustained value.

Aligning Lunch & Learns with Preventive Healthcare

Lunch & Learns complement:

preventive health checkups
wellness campaigns
digital health initiatives

They reinforce messages and encourage proactive health decisions.

Customisation for Organisational Needs

Secondmedic customises sessions based on:

workforce demographics
industry-specific risks
organisational goals

Tailored content improves relevance and impact.

Long-Term Value of Continuous Learning

Wellness is not a one-time intervention.

Regular Lunch & Learns:

reinforce healthy behaviours
build long-term awareness
create a learning culture

WHO emphasises continuous education as a pillar of workplace health promotion.

Conclusion

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns represent a modern, effective approach to corporate wellness by combining skill development with health education. These sessions empower employees with knowledge that improves both personal wellbeing and professional performance. Easy to implement, cost-effective and highly engaging, Lunch & Learns help organisations build healthier, more capable and more loyal teams. When learning and wellbeing come together, workplaces thrive.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Studies
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Risk Factor Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines
Lancet – Health Education and Behaviour Change Research
NITI Aayog – Workforce Productivity and Preventive Health Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Employee Engagement Studies

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