PATNA: The monsoon is a welcome break from the blistering heat but along with the cool showers come a variety of ailments. Both water and air borne diseases become rampant. On an average, 35 to 40 patients visit hospitals every day.
Around 12 cases of acute gastro-enteritis and four to five cases of acute hepatitis and Japanese encephalitis are reported at Patna Medical College Hospital alone on a daily basis.
Though not as severe as last year, cases of Japanese encephalitis is quite common this year. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, convulsions and unconsciousness. “It’s a fatal disease but timely vaccinations are of great help. The cases are mostly reported from Gaya, Chapra and other hilly areas,” said Binod Kumar Mishra, senior resident medical officer, PMCH.
Skin infections are also common this season, both fungal and bacterial, due to excessive sweating and high moisture. “Malaria, kala-azar and dengue spread rapidly in Bihar,” said Sanjeev Kumar of a private diagnostic centre, adding that upper respiratory tract infections of viral and seasonal nature are also quite prevalent this season. Pneumonia, influenza and viral fever with cold, cough and headache are general complaints.
ENT specialist, Chandra Shekhar from PMCH, said fungal infection in the ear is common because of humidity. In case water enters the ear, a warm cloth can be used to dry it. In case of cold and cough, ear pain can lead to hearing problem and accumulation of pus. “It can be very damaging as ear drums can rupture and must be dealt with immediately,” warned Shekhar.
Similarly, “rhinitis” (infection of the nose) can occur leading to headache, nasal blockade and watery discharge. For the neck region, tonsil infection and laryngitis are common. If the voice turns hoarse one should never overstrain.
“Chances of urinary tract infection and other fungal infections are enhanced because of unhygienic habits and lack of awareness regarding personal hygiene,” pointed out Shanti Rai, a renowned gynaecologist.
Chicken pox and measles are very common among children this season. Much care has to be taken to avoid DVD (diarrhoea, vomiting disease). MMR (measles, malaria, rubella) spreads through air but is preventable for which a booster dose of vaccination after four years should be administered to children.
Rota-virus (air-borne) cases are also very common among little ones, as also hepatitis A, which is water-borne and transmitted through the oro-fecal route. “Rota-virus vaccines are available in the market and are highly effective. For children upto three years, there is a 60 to 90 per cent chance of the infection occurring three to four times. So utmost care should be taken to keep the surroundings hygienic and pollution free,” said Sanjay Prasad, paediatrician.