Most Common Respiratory And Related Diseases in Monsoon, Their Treatment & Prevention

Most Common Respiratory And Related Diseases in Monsoon, Their Treatment & Prevention 

As pleasant as it sounds, monsoon winds do kind of add a note of cheer to our daily lifestyle, but alongside brings infectious diseases. So what exactly should  or shouldn’t we do, in order to save ourselves? Firstly due to the global pandemic whenever we experience any illness or fatigue, we directly presume it is because of the deadly coronavirus. Especially such presumptions are taken by patients of asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, tuberculosis and other chronic respiratory diseases. So it's very important for us to be able to segregate these interrelated symptoms.

Influenza - Every year lakhs of children die due to negligence shown in case of Influenza. The symptoms include cold and cough, high fever for approximately 9 to 10 days ( especially in children). If influenza is not treated within 3 to 4 days , it leads to pneumonia. Ultimately the situation of the patient gets worse and increases the rate of death. Influenza A and Influenza B are the viruses which attack during the break of monsoon commonly among children. The only way to save ourselves from the deadly influenza viruses is the pre dose of antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir. Influenza mostly occurs in children and they can transmit this disease to adults. 

Swine flu (H1N1)- Swine flu is a human respiratory infection caused by the H1N1 virus strain. Symptoms include - Cough, Fever, Sore Throat, Stuffy Or Runny Nose, Body Aches, Headache, Chills, Fatigue.

Like regular flu, swine flu can lead to more serious problems including pneumonia, lung infection, and other breathing problems. It can make diseases like diabetes or asthma worse.

Swine flu too was a pandemic and caused lakhs of death worldwide. Although now the vaccine for swine flu has been discovered making it treatable. However its patients can still be spotted in the season of monsoon. It majorly attacks the lower respiratory tract of human beings. It can be spotted in X-ray, CT scan tests, PCR tests and swab tests. Males and young adults are mostly affected but they can transmit it to children also. 

SARI - Severe Acute Respiratory Illness. If a patient has a history of 7 days experiencing cough, cold, fever, influenza like illness which then suddenly gets complicated leading to the patient getting hospitalized. Such cases are categorised under SARI. Early diagnosis and proper treatment is required mandatorily. This infection is particularly dangerous for children, older adults, and people with immune system disorders.

Symptoms include: Congestion (either in the nasal sinuses or lungs), runny nose, cough, cold, fever, influenza like illness, sore throat, body ache, fatigue.

Other diseases common in monsoon are Dengue, Malaria, Falciparum Malaria, Mycoplasma Pneumonia, PCP Pneumonia, vaping induced lung injury. These diseases are different but they have interrelated symptoms like cough, cold, fever, difficulty in breathing, etc. Only medical advice should be sought.  

Use of antiviral drugs can help in saving the patient’s life. 

Who can get affected from the above stated infections?

There is comparatively higher risk of infection in older adults and children. If our body has an adequate amount of antibodies then there is less risk of infection, because these antibodies produce an immune response towards the disease. 

Patients having an older history of asthma are more likely to catch these infections. Their breathing tube has fibrosis which causes remoulding in the tube and hypertrophy in smooth muscle. All this hampers the normal operational capacity and functioning of their lungs. It also affects the process of oxygenation. Hence, such patients and smokers are at higher risk of catching these monsoon diseases. 

People with above 55 years of age and who are immunocompromised, diabetic, hypertension patients, chronic respiratory disease, patients with swollen or shrinking lungs, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), pulmonary hypertension, bronchiectasis and swine flu patients are at a higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

Pneumococcal vaccine and H influenzae vaccines are recommended for patients of respiratory diseases. Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for people with above 55 years of age and who are immunocompromised, diabetic, hypertension patients, occupational lung disease patients. It is vaccinated only once in a lifetime.    

Monsoon Health Tips- 

• Stay connected to your family physician, pulmonologists. Get diagnosed whenever needed. Cooperate with your doctor and don’t hide your disease or symptoms. 

• Take your prescribed medications properly. 

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds. Use an alcohol based sanitizer. Use a face mask. Maintain social distancing. 

• Take a sleep of 7 to 8 hours. Have a balanced diet containing vitamin B12, D3, protein, zinc. 

• Do regular yoga and a walk of 40 minutes.  

• Stay positive to boost your immune system. 

  It would be a pleasure to help anybody in need.

  
  

  Dr. Pramod Jhawar  

  Jhawar Chest, Allergy, Asthma & Bronchoscopy, Sleep Study Centre 

  Call - 9827033089, 9424611137, 0731-2560011