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Though welcomed as a relief after the scorching heat, it acts on the other hand to open avenues to a lot of health problems. Increased moisture, rains causing stagnation of water, and humidity will create an ideal setting where infections and waterborne diseases will flourish. Yet, the precautions and awareness regarding common monsoon-related illnesses are necessary for maintaining good health during the rainy season.
Common Monsoon-Related Diseases
Dengue and malaria - Both spread via the bite of mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water. Symptoms include very high fever, terrible headache, pain in joints, and fatigue. Malaria can cause chills and sweats, while dengue can cause rashes and a treacherously low platelet count.
Typhoid - Typhoid is waterborne infection because it spreads through polluted water and food. Symptoms of typhoid: high temperature, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite. Personal hygiene and keeping away from impure water prevents the disease from gaining momentum.
Cholera - Cholera is waterborne and causes drastic diarrhoea, thereby giving rise to dehydration. The best way to avoid this is to maintain good sanitation and avoid street food during the monsoon, as it can be lethal if not treated in time.
Leptospirosis - It is a waterborne bacterial infection through water that has been contaminated with the urine of animals, especially in flooded areas. These infections vary in seriousness from fever to chills and extreme muscle pain. Walking in waterlogged areas can be risky.
Gastroenteritis - This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which can be manifested by vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal complications. It usually occurs as a result of contamination through ingested food or water, hence quite common in the rain season.
Cold and Flu - These viral infections-precipitated by fluctuating temperature and an increase in humidity-are quite common, manifesting usually as a running nose, cough, sore throat, and mild fever.
Blood Tests for Monsoon-Related Diseases
Blood testing on time can identify the monsoon-related ailments and help in their management. Following are some of the important tests:
Complete Blood Count - CBC
The CBC plays an important role in the diagnosis of infections, especially dengue and malaria infection, as it is used in following up on the platelet and white blood cell count which may go down during infection.
Malaria antigen test
This test will confirm the presence of malaria parasites in the blood, hence giving an accurate diagnosis and guiding the treatment.
Dengue NS1 antigen test This test can detect the presence of a dengue virus at its incipient stages and is of paramount importance during early diagnoses.
Widal test for typhoid The Widal test is used to detect antibodies against Salmonella bacteria, the cause of typhoid fever. It helps in early diagnosis and treatment.
Liver and Kidney Functions Tests Certain diseases, such as leptospirosis and gastroenteritis, can affect the liver and kidneys.
These tests help evaluate the function of such vital organs. Stool tests and Urine tests Stool tests can help identify a specific pathogen involved with the infection in cases of gastrointestinal diseases like cholera and gastroenteritis, while urine tests can report signs such as dehydration or kidney damage.
