Can Monsoon Diseases like Malaria and Dengue Increase your Covid Risk? - Gigadocs - Online Appointment with Best Doctors

India has seen massive health complications with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its successive variants like alpha and delta. The monsoon season is soon approaching, rising concerns of contagious diseases like malaria and dengue. Questions arise how will these monsoon diseases impact your health and your immunity against Covid?

In this blog, we aim to discuss the impact of the monsoon season in India, Covid-19 prevention and precautions in the rainy season, malaria dengue in the covid season, and how expectant mothers and elderly should safeguard themselves against monsoon diseases and the third wave of Covid.

India’s Monsoon Season

The southwest monsoon is India’s rainy season, marked by several infectious diseases that thrive and peak just after the monsoon rains.

The rainy season makes vector-borne diseases like malaria, fever, chikungunya, dengue a common occurrence. There’s also concern about fungal infections, food, and water-borne diseases, as well as other skin disorders. Besides, the monsoons also see a spike in the cases of flu and seasonal fever. Concerns remain how badly the monsoon diseases and infections exacerbate existing Covid complications like low oxygen levels and shortness of breath.

Mosquito Menace in the Monsoon

While better ventilation helps minimize COVID-19, it also gives mosquitoes an ideal chance to infiltrate homes. This monsoon, it is a must to have insecticide-lined bed nets, insect repellents, and meshes over windows and doors. Keeping the environment clean and avoiding water stagnation and rotting waste nearby, we reduce malaria and dengue fever risks and successive risks of covid.

Besides, the first rains increase the pollution levels and respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, which further aggravate the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular death. It is essential to be alert in these monsoons. We advise you to be in constant touch with your health care practitioner from your home with the help of digital healthcare applications like the Gigadocs app.

Covid-19 Precautions in Rainy Season

We strongly recommend you follow these healthy practices for an infection-free monsoon season-

Before stepping outside, dress in long-sleeved clothing and apply insect repellent to exposed portions of the body.
Take additional facemasks with you when you go out. In the rain, if your mask becomes wet, it won’t protect you from germs and bacteria. You can immediately replace it with the new facemask you have on hand.
Wherever you go, do carry a water bottle with you.
Cleaning and drying your feet thoroughly are great hygiene practices to prevent the risk of fungal infection, more common during this monsoon season

Malaria, Dengue and Covid-19

Fever, lethargy, headache, and breathing difficulty are all signs of malaria and dengue fever. They can both cause moderate upper respiratory troubles to more critical outcomes.

COVID-19 infection is more likely in patients with malaria and dengue since pre-existing malarial anemia can result in insufficient tissue oxygen levels- even a slight decrease in oxygen interferes with a person’s coping ability with Covid co-infection. Besides, both malaria and dengue cause the blood to clot, raising the risk of pulmonary thrombosis and inflammatory cytokines, which can be fatal in patients with Covid.

Monsoon Infectivity and Women’s Health

Pregnant women are one of the most vulnerable groups susceptible to infectivity- which is related to immune suppression during pregnancy. Expectant mothers are thus more vulnerable to vector-borne infections in the monsoon season.

The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) advises pregnant, lactating women to follow strict safety precautions and get themselves a Covid vaccination shot.

Senior citizens, Monsoon and Covid Risk

The population aged 60 and up battles, poor health, a weakened immune system, decreased organ function, a higher comorbidities risk, and a lack of attention to personal health. All of this may raise the population’s vulnerability to numerous diseases.

We have seen COVID-19 infection is fatal among the elderly. They are more likely to be hospitalized and the fatality risk rises if they have respiratory problems, diabetes, hypertension, or other comorbidities. Furthermore, they may be more sensitive to COVID-19 if they get another sickness during the rainy season. Thus, the elderly must be cautious in this rainy season, maintain social distancing, carry facemasks, and get their covid vaccination at the earliest.

Monsoon Care with Gigadocs

Going to the doctor can be stressful and anxiety-provoking for seniors, especially during this coronavirus outbreak. We at Gigadocs advise the elderly to keep a healthy stock of their regular medications, besides the contact details of pharmacists and doctors in case of emergencies.

Since stepping out even to visit a Doctor during rains could be a challenge, you can now consult a doctor virtually through the Gigadocs app. Download the Gigadocs app to record your vitals, digitally save medical prescriptions, healthcare records and consult doctors for seasonal monsoon infections.

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