A certain listlessness sets in, as the blades of the fan slap the hot air futilely. The air-conditioner trips like a mechanical beast, grunting in the heat. The summer rains are due, and the heat is going to get worse—muggy and full of lassitude. While the north is reeling under a heat wave, the monsoon hovers over the south. But the latter bears invisible hosts as well; bacteria and viruses that will wreak havoc on eyes, lungs, skin, intestines and other parts of the human body. Rainwater stagnates, causing mosquitoes to breed and spread deadly diseases. Germs have developed resistance to many antibiotics, making the work of doctors difficult. Government hospitals are understaffed and underequipped. A WHO report predicted an increase in malaria cases by over 50 per cent and a previous international media expose showed that many drugs supplied by India and China are spurious. Typhoid, cholera, malaria are some of the serious diseases that show a spurt as the season changes, as well as more manageable illnesses such as conjunctivitis and influenza. With over 200 viruses that could cause the common cold, things are getting warm this season. Vector-borne diseases are on the rise, and students are getting throat and bronchial infections. Doctors dissuade diabetics and those with long-time disorders from venturing out early in the morning. “Let the season settle down,” says Dr B B Gupta, who practices from a clinic opposite the lush Deer Park in Delhi. “People, especially patients with prolonged bronchial problems should postpone their morning walks.”
Also Read
SUMMER: Waiting to Exhale
Fifty-four-year-old Nagma from Chandpur village in Moradabad fears the summer. She hates the onset of the monsoon even more. Read More
Street Biters
Typhoid is likely to occur the most by patronising unhygienic roadside stalls or by eating from badly cleaned utensils. Flies are big carriers too. Read More
MONSOON: Getting Under the Skin
Fungal allergies don’t have an age limit, but become symptomatic and difficult to handle after you are 12 years or older. Read More
It’s a Sad Life
Low mood, feelings of helplessness and worthlessness, body image issues, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling lethargic and the need to sleep longer. Read More
Ayurveda For Seasonal Ailments
Allergies could be of either respiratory or skin type. Read More
Giving the Shivers
The disease, caused by infected Anopheles mosquitoes has been traced back by thousands of years. Read More
Joint Action
Clinical presentation is similar to dengue fever. However, the most striking symptom is severe pain and swelling in the joints which may last for many months. Read More
Hot Zone
Most patients recover with symptomatic treatment using paracetamol tablets. Strong pain killers should be avoided as they could lead to kidney-related complications. Read More
Pig Stie
Swine influenza virus (SIV) includes influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H2N1, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. Read More
Stomach For It
Gurgaon hospitals are reporting many gastroenteritis cases walking in every day. Read More
Trotter Nama
The illness is caused by the inflammation of the large intestine caused by a germ called shigella. Read More
The Eyes Have It
It’s a viral or bacterial infection that results in inflammation of the conjunctival (the transparent, outermost layer that also lines the inside of eyelids) layer of the eye. Read More
Life and the Liver
You can protect yourself by following hand hygiene practices. Vaccines for hepatitis A are also available. Read More
Rat Rage
When anyone comes in contact with this water, leptospirosis microorganisms enter their bodies through any abrasions or cuts on the skin or through the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth. Read More