Experts take on top 3 monsoon diseases

Monsoon is a delightful season but it brings along a host of diseases with it. You might enjoy the pitter patter of raindrops one fine evening and for the next four or five days you would be lying in bed recovering from fever and other such ailments.

Dengue scare

Dengue for that matter is currently topping the list. Out of 434 cases of dengue only one case of death has come to the foreground. According to Dr. AC Dhariwal, director, NVBDCP there are numerous case being reported but no serious manifestation of the same has been reported.

“To counter dengue, a mini epidemic, says an MCD official, “breeding checkers are allotted various localities to cover in order to keep a check on mosquito breeding grounds every 10-15 days. They also caution them to keep water from stagnating and that in case over next round of visit it is found that they haven’t heeded to their advice strict action might be taken.” To this Sarita, a resident of Joshi colony in East Delhi adds, “Yes this sign of warning does work. In my locality most of my neighbours now make sure that   there’s no water stagnation around. At least people are something even if it’s out of fear.”

However, till the time they identify the strain we recommend that you take following measures:

• Don’t allow water stagnation; ensure free flow of water in drains.
• Clean water coolers every weekend.
• Use insect repellents because Aedes mosquitoes operate during the day.
• If you have slight fever get medical tests done immediately.

H1N1 Scare

Continuing to spread terror, next in our list is H1N1.  Although according to Pathologist Ms. Lona Mohapatara, head of laboratory services at Rockland Hospital, “It is no more a pandemic unlike last year. It is, however, still advised that people must go for medical check ups in case they notice flu symptoms.”

Keep away H1N1 virus by:

• Avoid going to crowded/public places.
• Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing.
• Use alcohol based hand sanitizers.
• Don’t share towels, utensils, drinks.
• Keep away from people with cold and flu symptoms.
• Use respiratory masks if need be.

Common Cold and Flu scare

Next on the hit list is common cold and flu. Dr. Praveen Roy General physician at R.K.Hospital says, “These days near about 10-12 people visit me complaining of fever and cold. It’s generally a change of season accompanied by improper care of one’s own health that causes it. In a family it might be that one person is more prone to catching  cold whereas the other might not. It’s mainly an issue of how strong your immune system is. To boost your immune system include a lot of Vitamin C in your diet.”

We suggest that you:

• Drink lots of fluids like water, soups and fresh fruit juices.
• Gargle with lukewarm saline water.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol if you notice cold and flu symptom.

So follow a simple rule -- prevent any occurrence so that you don’t have to find a cure. May the monsoons bless you with a shower of good health! Until next monsoon keep safe.

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