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Common Monsoon Diseases in Rainy Season and Tips for Prevention

  India usually experiences its monsoon between the months of July and September, however, this year monsoon has knocked our doors quite early. While the rainy season gives a break from scorching heat during the hot summers, it also brings a wave of various infections ranging from uncomplicated ones to others posing serious threat to you and your family. Monsoon diseases in India Monsoon, also known as the season of the flu, is regarded as the most fertile breeding season for harmful microorganisms. Owing to humidity, mud and stagnant water as means of propagation for multiple viruses and bacteria, the risk of infections in monsoon is higher than other seasons. Therefore, implementing a healthy lifestyle by improving hygienic living conditions can be a right precautionary step during this time of the year. Most of the monsoon illnesses share fever as the common symptom. A right diagnosis forms the cornerstone of getting the right course of treatment and helps you recover early.   The most common monsoons diseases are transmitted through four primary mediums; mosquitoes, water, air, and contaminated food. Mosquitoes borne diseases: Monsoons are considered as the breeding season for mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. India faces a huge burden of mosquito-borne diseases, contributing 34% of global dengue and 3% of global malaria cases. Malaria: It is a life-threatening disease caused by plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes Although, it is preventable and curable, it accounted for approximately four lakh deaths in 2019, globally Children aged under 5 years are the most susceptible group affected by malaria Its transmission depends on climatic conditions with peaks during and just after the rainy season diseases Symptoms usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite, which can include:   High fever in rainy season Body ache Moderate to severe chills Fall in body temperature resulting in excessive sweating Headaches Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea. Book Malaria Smear Examination here. Dengue: It is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti Dengue virus usually produces only mild flu-like illness. However, occasionally this develops a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever Symptoms usually persist for 2–7 days, after an incubation period of 4–10 days after the bite from an infected mosquito Dengue should be suspected when a high fever (40°C/104°F) is accompanied with two of the following symptoms:   Severe headache Pain behind the eyes Muscle and joint pains Nausea Vomiting Swollen glands Rash. Suspecting dengue? Get Dengue NS1 antigen test done.   Chikungunya: Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti) and is caused by the chikungunya virus These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and can bite you not only during the night but also during the day The disease mainly occurs in Asia and Indian subcontinent. India reported 62,000 cases in previous years Symptoms usually occur 4-8 days later and include fever and joint pain. Advised for Chikungunya IgM antibody test? Book now. Tips for prevention from mosquitoes borne diseases Malaria, dengue, and chikungunya usually present with high fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Follow these precautionary measures as monsoons starts: Monsoon diseases Prevention for mosquito breeding: Don’t allow water to stagnate or collect anywhere in and around the house; Domestic water storage containers such as coolers, buckets, etc. should be covered, emptied and cleaned on a weekly basis; Dispose solid waste properly; Maintain hygiene and wash your bathrooms regularly; Properly use insecticides to treat water storage/outdoor containers. Personal protection from mosquito bites: Use personal household protection measures, like repellents, insecticide treated nets etc. These precautions must be implemented during the day both inside and outside of the home, as mostly mosquito bites throughout the day; Wear clothes that reduce skin exposure to mosquitoes; Sleep under an insecticide-treated net, which can reduce contact between mosquitoes and humans. Water borne diseases According to WHO, at least 2 billion people use a contaminated drinking water source, which is estimated to cause approximately more than 4.8 lacs diarrhoeal deaths each year. Children are the easiest victims because of a developing immune system and it has been reported that 2.9 lac deaths in children aged under 5 years could be avoided each year if they had access to safe drinking water.   Typhoid: Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread through uncovered or spoilt food or contaminated water. Reports suggest that 11–20 million people get sick from typhoid and between 1.2 to 1.6 lac people die from it every year, globally. Symptoms include: Prolonged fever Fatigue Headache Nausea Abdominal pain Constipation Diarrhea   A Widal test can help detect typhoid fever. Book here.   Cholera: Cholera is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is associated with diarrhoea, which can kill within hours if left untreated. WHO reports that each year world faces 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera Most of those infected have no or mild symptoms including watery loose motions with severe dehydration. Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a disease that affects humans and animals and is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The bacteria spreads through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. It occurs most commonly in monsoons due to contact with dirty water or muck/mud. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including high fever, headache, chills, etc. Besides, other commonly occurring diseases due to contaminated water includes jaundice, hepatitis A and gastro-intestinal infections like gastroenteritis.   Tips of Prevention from food and water-borne diseases Ensure clean and safe drinking water Cautious about adequate sanitation, hygiene among food handlers Keep your hands clean by washing them consistently Always boil water and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption Ensure open drains and potholes in your locality are covered Do not swim in water that might be contaminated with animal urine Eliminate contact with potentially infected animals Get your children vaccinated if they are not already. Air borne diseases: Monsoon triggers multiple air-borne infections that are transmitted by tiny pathogens through the air, which results in flu, common cold, cough, and sore throat. Older people and children are more prone to infections during this season due to a weak or developing immune system.    Common cold: Sudden fluctuations in temperatures during the monsoon can cause common cold and flu like viral infections. Common cold and flu have similar symptoms; it can be difficult to differentiate between them based on symptoms alone. Flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense whereas colds are usually milder than flu.  Influenza: It is commonly known as the seasonal "flu" and is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It spreads easily from person to person through air. Flu usually comes on suddenly and can experience some or all of these symptoms: Fever or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue Vomiting and diarrhea. Book a Influenza profile and get to know what is causing the high temperature. Tips of Prevention from Air borne diseases Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing Keep your children away from people who are already infected Maintain proper hygiene by washing hands and feet thoroughly once children come home from outdoors Drink warm water every few hours Keep your homes are well-ventilated at all times Get vaccinated with the flu vaccine every year. Monsoon diseases prevention is always better than cure, therefore, it is essential to keep informed and protect yourself and your family from these common monsoon diseases in India. However, do not self-diagnose and avoid over-the-counter medication. If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.   Make sure to rule out COVID-19 if you have flu-like symptoms. Book a home sample collection here.  

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Different Types of COVID-19 Tests and Their Significance

COVID-19 or Coronavirus disease is an infectious disease that causes severe respiratory illness. This new strain of coronavirus affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and might not need hospitalization.  Some of the most common symptoms are: Dry cough Fever Fatigue Headache Body ache Sore throat Loss of smell and taste Nausea Vomiting COVID-19 has caused serious illness in older people and those with underlying chronic health problems like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver or kidney disease, obesity, cancer, etc Never let your health take a backseat. Get yourself regularly tested. COVID-19 Tests: Need of The Hour Testing for COVID-19 can identify you as a positive or negative case of coronavirus disease. It is very important as you can only get the right treatment or self-isolate if you know that you have contracted the coronavirus.   Different Types of COVID-19 Tests Available India has stood relatively strong in her fight against COVID-19 with a strategy “Test, Track and Treat”. Different methods of testing have been launched to trace COVID-19 infection rapidly and efficiently. Watch this video to know more about Different types of COVID-19 test in this video: https://youtu.be/SBQklbZ9Rgo Some of the most commonly used tests used are: 1) Molecular (RT-PCR) Tests About the test- The Molecular test, commonly known as the RT-PCR test, is a method of testing that is used to directly detect the presence of the virus in the sample. The test detects the virus’s RNA, which is the genetic material of the virus. The first step in this test is to convert this RNA to DNA using an enzyme known as the reverse transcriptase. The PCR testing then detects this DNA. Hence the name RT-PCR. These are also known as the diagnostic test and nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). How the sample is taken- A nasal or throat swab sample is taken. Time taken to get results- Results are given the same day or within 2-3 days. Are they accurate- These tests are the most accurate. They have a high sensitivity and specificity. What it shows- These tests help diagnose the active coronavirus infection. If the virus is present in the sample, the test is positive but a negative test doesn’t necessarily mean that you can not be infected, you might have taken the test in the early days. What it cannot show- It fails to show if you ever had COVID-19 in the past. Cost of RT-PCR test- Cost of the antibody test kit is somewhere between Rs 2000- Rs 3000. In case you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can approach your doctor who can further advise you for a test.  Not every laboratory in the country can conduct a COVID-19 test as the virus is highly contagious. Only NABL(National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited laboratories approved by ICMR are equipped to handle the COVID-19 samples. Book your COVID-19 lab test confidently with us. What to Do After an RT-PCR test? If you test positive for the COVID-19 RT-PCR test: The healthcare provider will guide you to follow protective steps if you feel sick. If you test negative for COVID-19 RT-PCR test: It means you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing or your sample might have been collected too early to detect an infection. If you develop symptoms after 3-4 days, you might need to take another lRT-PCR test to determine if you are infected. 2) COVID-19 Antigen Tests About the test- A COVID-19 antigen refers to any foreign matter or viral proteins in the body that triggers an immune response. This test helps identify the antigens related to the COVID-19 virus. Antigen test, also known as rapid antigen test, is a rapid diagnostic test that gives results faster than molecular tests. But there is a drawback, antigen tests have a higher chance of missing an active infection.  How the sample is taken- Usually,anasal or throat swab sample is taken. Time taken to get results- Since it is a rapid test, results are delivered in 1 hour or less. Is another test needed- Rapid tests are usually highly accurate if you test positive however a negative result might need to be confirmed using a molecular test. What it shows- These tests help diagnose active coronavirus in the sample. What it cannot show- The Antigen test might miss an active coronavirus infection in comparison to RT-PCR tests. Cost of COVID-19 Antigen test- Cost of the COVID-19 antigen test kit is somewhere between Rs 400- Rs 500 3) COVID-19 Antibody Tests  About the test- COVID-19 Antibody tests, also known as, Serology test, serological test, or Serology blood test, are screening tests for COVID-19 antibodies in your blood. It tells if you were previously infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The antibody test does not look for the active virus but checks whether your immune system has responded to the infection. How the sample is taken- It is tested by drawing your blood sample. Time taken to get results- Results are delivered either the same day or in 1-3 days. Is another test needed- Sometimes a second COVID-19 antibody test might be needed for more accurate results. What it shows- This test helps to find out if you were infected with the virus causing COVID-19 in the past and now have antibodies against it.  What it cannot show- A COVID-19 antibody test may not show if you have an active virus in your body causing COVID-19 infection. Cost of Antibody test- The cost of COVID-19 antibody test kit is somewhere between Rs 500-Rs 600.   When to seek medical help for COVID-19? In case you have minor symptoms like mild cough and fever, consult a doctor online and provide details thoroughly and follow home quarantine. There is no obvious need to visit a doctor in person. Self-isolate and monitor your symptoms for the next 14 days. Do not ignore if your fever increases or if you get any serious symptoms such as breathlessness, mental confusion, or blue lips. These signs may warrant to seek medical help immediately.  Bottom line The best way to get a COVID-19 test is to contact your nearest healthcare provider who can guide you best on testing. Meanwhile, follow social distancing, wash your hands regularly, and avoid touching your face.    

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