(20 August is observed as World Mosquito Day in memory of Sir Ronald Ross's discovery that female anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria in humans. FIT is republishing this story in light of it.)
As the country settles into Monsoon season, we can begin to see a rise in monsoon-related diseases like dengue, malaria and cholera. And since its 2020, there’s a COVID-19 pandemic in the mix as well.
A fundamental challenge lies in diagnosing fever and differentiating diseases - many of which have similar symptoms.
So how do you know if its COVID or if its dengue? Check our tracker below to find out.
Dr Sumit Ray, critical care specialist said, “There can be cough in Dengue as, fluid accumulates around the lungs and can cause it. This can also lead to breathlessness.”
Rashes are a new symptom of COVID-19, although they are more seen in dengue he added.
“Chills were recently added as a symptom of COVID-19 too,” adds Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant of internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
In an earlier article in FIT, Dr SP Kalantri, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital and MGIMS, Wardha, Maharashtra, told us, “ Diagnosis of fever in India has always been a challenge due to the five diseases that account for most cases of “Acute Undifferentiated Fevers” between June and September: malaria, dengue fever, scrub typhus, typhoid fever, and leptospirosis.”
What are the top 6 monsoon diseases?
He added, “Health systems have a limited capacity to cope with these fevers. This year, with COVID-19 added to the fever syndromes, distinguishing these diseases shall become even more difficult.”
If you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 or the other fever diseases, call your nearest healthcare providers and take precautions at home.
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