Top 5 Monsoon Diseases and Crucial Tests To Diagnose Them!

Monsoon has arrived! As the first showers relieve us from the scorching summer heat, we must remember that the monsoon also brings with it a variety of infections and diseases. This season sees a rise in viral fever and mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, etc. to an increased prevalence of cough, cold, and flu due to extreme temperature changes.

While certain illnesses, such as the flu and fever, are curable with ease, others are fatal and could become so in the near future if timely screening, diagnosis and treatment are not undertaken. Thus an early screening and diagnosis of ailments in the monsoon season is vital.  

Here are the 5 most common monsoon diseases that you should watch out for: 

1. Dengue: Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the female mosquito belonging to the Aedes aegypti species. The same species are also responsible for spreading other infections such as chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika viruses. Some of the most common dengue fever symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headaches, severe muscle pain, rash, appetite loss, and fatigue. Geographically, dengue is widespread throughout the globe, with risk influenced by rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and unplanned rapid urbanization. In tropical regions like India where rainfall is a seasonal phenomenon, dengue fever is synonymous with the monsoon, being one of the most common monsoon diseases. 
2. Chikungunya: The chikungunya virus, which is spread to individuals by the bite of an infected mosquito, is another serious health risk during the monsoon season in India. Fever and joint discomfort are the two most typical signs of infection. Other symptoms include, headache, muscular soreness, joint swelling, and rashes. 
3. Malaria: A life-threatening disease typically transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Post-infection symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to 4 weeks. Some of the common symptoms include shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe, high fever, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Leptospirosis:  We occasionally contract leptospirosis from animals. Particularly from dogs, rats, and agricultural animals, it is transferred by their urine. Though they might not show any symptoms, they can be carriers. Common initial symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, severe headache, sore muscles, chills, vomiting, and red eyes.
5. Typhoid: WHO estimates the global typhoid fever disease burden at 11-20 million cases annually, resulting in about 128,000 – 161,000 deaths annually. In recent years, data indicates that typhoid fever is a major cause of morbidity among the urban and peri-urban populations and the single most important cause of febrile bacteraemia fever caused by bacteria in the bloodstream. Typhoid fever is an infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. Once Salmonella typhi bacteria are eaten or drunk, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream. The bacteria live in the bloodstream and intestines of human beings. Signs and symptoms usually include high fever, headache, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea.

A few preventive tips to shield ourselves from common monsoon diseases:

• Ensure there is no stagnant water around your home and surroundings.
• Use nets in your home and insect repellent/creams.
• Always cover your food, and avoid eating street food.
• Keep your hands clean, use sanitizers. 
• Before eating, wash fruits and vegetables.

Furthermore, to lower your risk of viral infections, stay away from crowded places.

Monsoon diseases can often pose a challenge to diagnose and treat as fever is the most common symptom. In such cases, proper screening and diagnosis serve as the basis for choosing the best treatment course and speeding up the recovery. In order to diagnose monsoon diseases early, PCR assays should be chosen.

THIS MONSOON RAISE THE SHIELD AGAINST COMMON MONSOON DISEASES!