Monsoon-related ailments are picking up in the city amid coronavirus outbreak. There is a sudden spurt in malaria cases compared to the last 10 years, and patients have been tackled successfully via teleconsultations. No deaths have been recorded so far. Already stretched by a shortage of medics and critical care beds, the situation might turn uglier, as cases of malaria may soar in the coming months.
Monsoon can bring life to a standstill with flooding and water-logging, and invite vector-borne and water-borne diseases. Doctors are already grappling with surging Coronavirus infections; the onset of the annual monsoon poses a serious threat of malaria as the hospitals are overrunning. Many patients suffering from malaria are opting for teleconsultations amid lockdown.
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Internal Medicine Expert Global Hospital, Mumbai said“ Malaria can be life-threatening in some individuals, there is a sudden spurt in malaria cases compared to the last 10 years and around 40 patients have been tackled successfully via teleconsultations over a month. Daily 1 or 2 patients are diagnosed with Malaria if 8-10 are detected with Covid. After Covid, if the patient gets a fever then he/she is suspected to be having Malaria.”
So, today we are going to give you some tips that can help you cop-up with coronavirus and other infection in the monsoon season-
- Personal hygiene plays an important role in keeping you healthy. According to guidelines issued by the WHO or World Health Organisation, you need to wash your hand with soap for 20 seconds at least.
- Contaminated water and food can cause water and foodborne diseases such as typhoid, and cholera. Eating nourishing and clean food is amongst the most important health tips for the rainy season. Avoid outside food in the monsoon as far as possible. Prefer hygienically prepared home food.
- Make sure that your surroundings are clean and tidy. Ensure that there is no stagnant water accumulated near your house, as this can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes which may cause vector-borne diseases.
- Immunity levels may also dip during the monsoon as many people might not be consuming nutritious food and taking care of your health. Yoga is a great way to keep you in great shape and strengthen your immunity.
- Never wear a wet face mask, and always dispose of your mask after use and if reusable then wash it regularly to avoid risks. Take care to prevent the formation of stagnant water or puddles. Protect yourself from mosquito bites by measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothes.
- Allergies can become severe during the monsoon. So you must wear a mask if you know that you react badly to dust, vapours or pollution.
It is the need of the hour to spray insecticides to kill mosquito larvae in the mosquito breeding spots in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. “Prophylaxis (a medication used to prevent a disease from occurring) is available. Hence, the patients who get repeated malaria or dengue should contact the doctor,” added Dr Agarwal.
