Background: COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease with a global outreach. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease mainly confined to tropical areas. In both cases, most of those affected are asymptomatic or have only mild respiratory disease. Those who turn critical develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and/or multiple-organ failure occurs rapidly, with high fatality. Methodology: This is a retrospective observational study from 2020 involving COVID-19 and leptospirosis patients. The data were collected using a semi-structured proforma, and analysis was performed using Easy R (EZR) software. Results: There were five patients with COVIDC-19 and four patients with leptospirosis; with pulmonary involvement. All the patients were males. There was no significant difference in age, the onset of pulmonary involvement, time of initiation of steroids, duration of steroids, and outcome between the two groups. However, in the case of COVID-19, it took a longer period for clearing of infiltrates. Conclusion: Though COVID-19 and leptospirosis are two different diseases, both of them show a similar life-saving response to steroids, the common factor in the pathogenesis being cytokine storm. Primary care physicians in tropical areas of the world should be aware of the similarities between these two diseases, especially the initial clinical presentation, the pathogenesis, and the response to steroids.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, but its misuse has expedited resistance. One of the best measures to tackle antibiotic resistance in the community would be to educate medical students and create awareness among them regarding antibiotic resistance. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of awareness of antibiotic resistance among undergraduate medical students and to determine the factors affecting the awareness. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire among undergraduate medical students from the 1st year to the 4th year. Results: Three hundred and fifty-four undergraduate medical students from the 1st year to the 4th year were enrolled. More than 80% of students were from the 18–22-year age group, and more than half were female. Only 56.2% of participants had adequate awareness of antibiotic resistance. The academic year was not significantly associated with the awareness. Age and gender also had no significant association. Parent's education, parent's occupation, parents being medical practitioners and family income also had no significant association. Conclusion: Awareness levels regarding antibiotic resistance among medical students were slightly above 50%. Moreover, it seems to be a worldwide phenomenon too. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the practices and attitudes regarding the same. A “catch them young” policy would be a good step to tackle antimicrobial resistance at its inception itself. Moreover, it should start at the local level. Similar studies can be conducted among medical practitioners and health-care workers and at the community level.

For years, generations of medical students were taught that in stroke, “;In a upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion, the upper part of the face is spared because this part of the face has bilateral representation while in a lower motor neuron (LMN) lesion, both parts of the face are involved.” Is this explanation apt ? Most of the fibers of the corticospinal tract decussate to the opposite side. But only 50% of the corticobulbar fibers decussate, meaning the muscles they supply receive fibers from both motor cortex (bilateral representation). Bilateral representation in the cortex is a perfect example of symmetry in the human body. An exception to this rule would be the lower part of the face which receives fibers from the contralateral cortex alone (unilateral representation). This goes against the general rule and so this represents the first paradox of the cranial nerves. The second paradox is entirely man made and is reversible. Should it not be, “;In a UMN lesion of the facial nerve, only the contralateral lower half of the face is affected, because this part of the face has unilateral representation only” and not “;In a UMN lesion of the facial nerve, the contralateral upper part of the face is spared because this part of the face has bilateral representation.” After all, is not bilateral representation the rule and unilateral representation the exception ?.