COVID-19 outbreak is major pandemic affecting lakhs of people all across the globe. Along with other nonspecific clinical features, reports mention anosmia to be an important symptom in COVID-19 positive patients. To study the prevalence of anosmia in confirmed COVID-19 patients, in Indian population and to ascertain its significance as a symptom of COVID 19. Study was done at a tertiary care COVID treating hospital. While eliciting detailed history from Covid-19 positive patients, all patients were asked about symptom of anosmia. Same was asked from control group of subjects who were COVID-19 negative. The history of anosmia was also elicited on discharge after the patients tested negative for COVID-19. 74 patients formed part of the study. 11 of 74 (14.8%) patients had anosmia. On using the chi square test for significance the difference was significant (p \ .01), suggesting anosmia to be a significant clinical feature in COVID-19 patients. On comparing with world literature it was observed that the prevalence of anosmia is higher in European population as compared to Indian Also the symptom of anosmia improved when the patient recovered from the disease. Prevalence of new onset anosmia in Indian population with COVID-19 is 14.8%. Symptom of anosmia in present times should be considered as a important clinical feature and should raise a suspicion of COVID-19. The prevalence of anosmia in Indian population is much lesser than that reported in European population.

Background: Microbiota of the nasal cavity plays a crucial role in determining the reaction patterns of the mucosal and systemic immune system. It is important to study bacterial and fungal flora from the middle meatus of a healthy population. It will determine micro-organisms colonizing the paranasal sinuses and check their antibiotic resistance. This study aims at identifying and comparing the microbial and fungal flora present in the middle meatus of patients of the nasal surgery group (NSG) and non-nasal surgery group (NNSG). Material and Methods: This is a crosssectional observational study. The endoscopic middle meatal swab was taken from NSG and NNSG (Control) groups for aerobic and fungal cultures. Results: Aerobic growths were seen in 43.28% of NSG and 50% of NNSG. The difference was statistically insignificant (p< 0.44). In the majority of patients in both groups, Staphylococcus Epidermidis were isolated, 34.49% in NSG and 34.37% in NNSG. In both groups, the majority of organisms show 100% sensitivity to linezolid, daptomycin, teicoplanin, and vancomycin. Good sensitivity was also shown to tetracycline, trimethoprim, and sulfamethaxaoxazole. There was complete resistance to Benzylpenicillin (100%). Comparison of sensitivity showed data was statistically insignificant. No fungal growth was detected in both groups. Conclusion:The present study concludes that there is no difference in the aerobic growths and sensitivity of both groups. No fungal growth was detected in both groups. The culture sensitivity pattern is an indicator of antibiotic selection in this era of antibiotic resistance. Also, the study concludes, oral drugs like Erythromycin, Tetracyclines, and Trimethomprim-Sulfamethaxazole can be considered for medical management.

Background: Women who received support during labor are more likely to give birth “spontaneously.” The role of the female birth attendant (FBA) has not been very well established; hence, this study was planned. Objective: The objective of the study was to train, educate, assess, and evaluate the role of FBA before, during and after labor in terms of mother’s satisfaction, early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding and providing essential newborn care. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 400 pregnant women, 200 cases and 200 controls in their third trimester were enrolled. FBAs were given training using flipchart. Thesenewborns were followed up at 1½ month at an immunization clinic. Data were collected and analyzed. Results: 88% (176) of cases initiated breastfeeding in the 1st h of birth compared to 14.5% (29) in controls. 57 (28.5%) of controls had given prelacteal feeds to newborns compared to 7% (14) of cases. 108 (59%) of cases put the baby skin-to-skin contact following delivery compared to none in controls. There was more number of hospital visits in neonates of controls 26.25% (52) compared to cases 12.5% (25). Conclusion: The presence of FBAs improves early initiation of breastfeeding, decreases prelacteal feeds, improves skin-to-skin contact indirectly preventing hypothermia, and decreases the number of hospital visits.