COVID - OMICRON

Hello friends!

This post is about omicron variant of COVID.

Why do we have to know about any new variants?

✓ more infectious than previous one?

✓ if it's more virulent?

✓ any diagnostic difficulties?

✓ treatment failure?

✓ does previous vaccine work for it?

Basically this OMICRON has more than 30 different mutations on surface of S1 or S2 spike protein with lineage number B.1.1.529 variant of concern (voc).

Preliminary data shows that it is highly infectious but the data is limited. We need to wait for further studies.

Most of the vaccines are targeting 'S' spike protein so antibodies are produced against 'S' spike. Risk of vaccine failure due to 'S' spike mutation is still a point of concern but data is limited now.

Diagnostics- most of the other targets (including N and RdRp genes) remain unaffected. These RTPCR tests detect atleast 2 different SARS-CoV-2 targets, which serves as a backup in case mutation arises. Current PCR tests can detect this variant. 'S' gene target failure can occur if not detected.

Severity of disease - more in immunocompromised and extremes of age groups.

Effectiveness of vaccines - Antibodies decrease severity and death .

Reinfection is higher with omicron.

Treatment - steroids and IL-6 receptor blockers are still effective.

So, be cautious but don't panic! 

That's all!

Dr.Madhuri 

Job's syndrome

Job's syndrome is also known as hyper- IgE syndrome.

It has autosomal dominant inheritance ( STAT3 gene).

Here is the mnemonic to remember its key features :

A - Abscesses of face and lungs by staphylococcus aureus ( pneumatocele)

B - Bone fragility

C - Coarse facies

D - Dermatological features like eczema.

E - Eosinophilia, increased Ig E.

Trick to remember important points: 

"Steve Jobs is a dominant person, interested in business STATs"

That's all!

Dr. Madhuri.

Essential tremor - a mnemonic.

Do you often forget the features of 'essential tremor'? Well shake no more, 'coz here's a mnemonic that will straighten things up for ya!

OET Speaking

Speaking : (15-20 mins)

Speaking test is conducted on the same day for paper-based test while for the computer-based test it's one day before or after. How is it conducted? Speaking test has two role-plays.

OET Writing

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Writing : (45 mins)

Unlike IELTS, in OET, writing test includes letter writing for 45mins. The letter can be a referral, a transfer or a discharge according to the given case notes. But mostly for doctors ,it's a referral letter. Out of the 45 mins first 5 mins are to read the case notes and only after that we are allowed to write the letter.

OET Reading

Reading: (60mins)

Reading test has 3 parts where Part-A is for 15 mins and 45 mins is for Part-B,Part-C combined. All articles are related to healthcare scenarios.

OET Listening

Listening : (45 mins)

Listening test will be for around 45mins and has three parts,each part more difficult than the one before.The extracts are either monologues or conversations and are related to healthcare workplaces.

MY IELTS Experience

MY IELTS EXPERIENCE

• Appeared on 19.03.20
• Score = 8.0; Max = 8.5 on Speaking
• Resources = IELTS Charlie + e2Cademy + IELTSAdvantage (all free)
• Time = 07 days (inconsistent)
• Writing - Practiced 3 -5 a day. Completed short essay in under 10 minutes and long essay in under 25 minutes. Spent the rest of the time trying to read the question repeatedly to ensure that I never went off topic
• Listening - Practiced 3 a day
• Speaking - 2 a day because I feel I am fluent. Use IELTS Charlie to learn some grammar. It helps. Familiarize yourself with topics that you feel you have NEVER read or don't have an idea of the global scenario about. STICK TO THE TOPIC.
• Reading - practiced 4 in all. I didn't find that I have any difficulty in writing while I listen except for the occasional errors
  

If you're Just Starting Out 

1. Make sure you have your resources compiled. I wasted a fair amount of time trying to assess what is best in the middle of my prep.
2. Ensure that you know what you need to work on by listening to others who have appeared for the exam 
3. Buzz me for queries and links to material.
4. Read this - http://www.howtocrackplab.com/search/label/IELTS
5. Realise that this is not a test of how proficient you are with the language, these are their standards to assess you because well.. somebody had to set some standards.
6. Make sure you have a clear goal as to when you wish to appear for PLAB 1 (if you do wanna appear for it).
7. You may appear for a pen and paper version or a computerised version. Play to your strengths. This is most important to know.
8. Read the prospectus more than once. Their information tables are more than sufficient to help you avoid silly mistakes that reduce your band score.

Watch Out For

1. The types of sentences you use in the written test.
2. WORD LIMIT - Going over is good. Going under is just going under the bus,
3. CONCENTRATION - Listening test audio will be played only once. Ensure that you focus. If you lose touch you may land into a 6.5 band score and goof up your chances of appearing for PLAB 1.
4. OPINIONS - On both the speaking and writing tests, unless asked for state a fact rather than your opinion.