The monsoon season provides relief from the summer heat, but it also creates ideal breeding circumstances for mosquitoes, increasing the danger of mosquito-borne diseases. To stay healthy, you must be aware of these risks. Here are some of the most prevalent monsoon-related ailments to look out for:
Malaria: Malaria is a common and serious disease spread by female Anopheles mosquitos. Symptoms usually include fever, headache, and chills, which appear 10 to 15 days after being bitten. Malaria, in severe cases, can be lethal. Every year, more than 247 million cases are diagnosed globally. Although medicines and a multi-dose vaccine are available, malaria parasites are known to evolve quickly, resulting in drug-resistant forms that challenge treatment efforts.
West Nile virus: The West Nile virus, which is carried by disease-carrying mosquitoes, can cause fever, headache, neck stiffness, tremors, convulsions, and muscle weakness. However, up to 80% of people infected may have no symptoms at all. Despite being generally asymptomatic, the infection can be fatal. Severe forms of the disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, affect approximately one in every 150 confirmed cases. Individuals who are immunocompromised, such as those recovering from organ transplants, those with specific medical disorders, and those over the age of 60 are the most vulnerable to serious sickness.
Dengue: Dengue fever normally causes a moderate sickness, and therapies are geared at easing symptoms. However, in severe situations, it is sometimes referred to as “break-bone fever” due to the intense headache, muscle and joint pain, high fevers, nausea, exhaustion, severe abdominal discomfort, and vomiting that it can induce. In some cases, dengue can be lethal. Because of their ability to adapt to urban areas and dwell near to humans, Aedes aegypti mosquitos, which transmit dengue, are commonly referred to as the “cockroaches of mosquitoes.”
Zika: The Zika virus is frequently asymptomatic, but when symptoms do appear, they may include muscle and joint discomfort, headache, fever, rash, or conjunctivitis. While Aedes mosquitos are the principal vectors of the virus, Zika can also be spread sexually. The virus can persist in sexual organs for extended periods, often without any symptoms, leading to unintentional transmission to sexual partners.
Yellow fever: Yellow fever is spread by Aedes and Haemogogus mosquitos. Symptoms such as headache, fever, muscle discomfort, and nausea may occur, with jaundice lending the condition its name. It is typically difficult to diagnose since it resembles other disorders, but an effective vaccine and supportive treatments are available.
Chikungunya: The principal vector of the chikungunya virus, the Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito), is an aggressive species that has spread rapidly over the last 30 years, taking the virus with it. Aedes aegypti, another invasive mosquito species, also spreads the virus. Several vaccinations are being developed, but there are currently no authorized vaccines or antiviral therapies for chikungunya.
Source:HT