By Techno Crat
Coronavirus or SARS-Cov-2 is here to stay. It will persist in several variants and forms and it will probably be years before we can get rid of it. Meanwhile, we need to prepare ourselves for the long haul and make our homes safer, at least.
As we moved, painfully, through the pandemic, a number of gadgets have been introduced that can keep us safe and help us during emergencies. This time around, in the third wave, most of the patients have shown mild symptoms and fewer hospitalizations, but there can be no pullback on precautions. Let us give you some medical gadgets that might come in handy at home.
Pulse Oximeter
(Measures blood oxygen level)
The Pulse Oximeter became one of the most important medical gadgets during the pandemic and a must have at home. If infected or even if you suspect infection this is one of the most important gadgets to monitor blood oxygen level. Just make sure to go with the one that also shows pulse reading. Oximeters are available starting from Rs 500 to Rs 2,500 online as well as offline medical stores. Buy a known brand.
Digital blood pressure monitor
(Measures Blood pressure and pulse rate)
Frankly, this is a gadget that necessarily should be in every home, Covid or not. It is a critical piece of equipment that can save you from sudden changes in pressure and even a possible heart attack.
Through a self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring, patients can measure their blood pressure at home twice daily for seven days, and then provide that information to their medical team. This helps physicians and other health professionals help patients with hypertension achieve and maintain their BP goals. A decent blood pressure monitor costs around Rs 3,000. There are monitors priced less on the market, but go for established brands.
Sanitiser dispenser
This is possible in two forms: a penal operated sanitizer dispenser and an electric one. In either case the visitor to your house will not have to touch any surface with his/her hands to get a spray of sanitizer.
For the regular ones, you have to push a pedal with your foot. For an electric one, you simply have to place your hand below it and sanitize them before starting work. This layer will help clean their hands of any bacteria or virus they might have had got in contact with. The electric gadget’s price ranges between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500.
Contactless thermometer
These are the ones you see at security gates, at airports and such other places. This also called an IR thermometer – measures body temperature from a distance. It can do so from a distance of 1-2 inches, hence avoiding all physical contact. These thermometers can be easily found on online and offline stores for as low as Rs 1,000.
Covid-19 Rapid Antigen self test kit
This allows people to do antigen test at home. This isn’t exactly a gadget, but it lets users do a rapid Antigen test by themselves. If you are in doubt about your condition but cannot book an RT-PCR test right away, this is an alternative.
Use a home corona testing kit such as Mylab CoviSelf COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self Test Kit. Corona rapid test kit for home use that has earned the approval of the ICMR. It can be used at home by anyone Covid-19 self testing kits can be purchased online and offline medical stores and the price ranges between Rs 250 to Rs 300.
Glucometer
You might think that this gadget, which measures blood glucose levels, is only needed for diabetics. However, India is known as the world’s diabetes capital. Nearly one in six people with diabetes in the world are from India. If you are diabetic then you need to put extra effort to take care of yourself and stay healthy during the pandemic.
As people with certain chronic diseases such as diabetes are at higher risk from Covid-19 and its complications if their health condition is not well managed. If you need to monitor your blood sugar levels frequently, it will be great to have a good glucometer at home. Price of a decent glucometer ranges between Rs 500 and Rs 3,000. Again, but an established brand.
UV Sterilizer
This is needed to keep your smartphones and other devices free from germs and other infections. UV radiation is known to have disinfecting qualities for nonporous surfaces, air and water. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) says that it might also be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes coronavirus.
UV Sterilizer helps keep our gadgets and other devices free from germs and infection. They are simple sticks with a UV light attached to one end. You can simply turn them on and point them at the object you want to sanitize and then bathe them in the UV-C light to kill off any germs present on them within a few seconds. Price ranges between Rs 999 to Rs 5,999
Oxygen concentrator
At a time when the country is witnessing reports of deaths due to lack of oxygen cylinders in hospitals, the demand for oxygen concentrators have been growing in the fight against the deadly virus. The oxygen concentrator can be set up at home for providing oxygen to people facing respiratory issues for hours without needing to be replaced or refilled. However, one should use it only after consulting a doctor.
Oxygen concentrators are generally used to provide extra oxygen to patients with breathing issues They are available online as well as offline medical stores. But, make sure to check warranty details, service network and authenticity before buying. Price ranges between Rs 32000 to Rs 2 lakh.
Portable Oxygen canister
It is also crucial to keep a Portable Oxygen canister handy at home during the COVID times. Since most patients experience a drop in blood oxygen level, a Portable Oxygen canister will help in increasing the level in an emergency situation.
Keeping a portable Oxygen canister can be really helpful in case of breathlessness till the medical service arrives. Do understand that this is just for the short-term and can’t replace the proper medical solution. Price ranges between Rs 650 to Rs 2000.
Nebulizer machine
Many patients use a home nebulizer for care of their respiratory conditions. The device is easily available online in the price range starting at Rs 1,500. Special Considerations for using your nebulizer if you have COVID-19. First, wash your hands before and after your treatment.
Use your nebulizer in an area that limits potential exposure of the aerosolized droplets to other household members, such as an outdoor area such as a porch or patio. Choose a room where the air is not re-circulated and nobody else will enter for 1-2 hours. Clean and disinfect your nebulizer. Price ranges between Rs 1200 to Rs 3000.
