Chennai: With northeast monsoon nearing, fear triggers among residents as the state recorded over 1,200 dengue cases and five cases of death. Doctors, on the other hand, ask residents to be cautious, as there is a possibility of outbreak of other epidemics during the monsoon.
Along with simple infections, fever, cold and cough that strike during monsoon, people are also exposed to the more serious Hepatitis A infection, said doctors. Dr Madhuri Prabu, neonatal pediatrician of Motherhood hospital, said, “Hepatitis A virus usually takes 14-28 days to incubate and the most common symptom of a Hep –A infection is jaundice, fever, loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhoea and nausea. The severity of symptoms is slightly more in older children (6 and above) with 70 per cent of those infected suffering from jaundice.”
Even though children and adults, who have been previously vaccinated against Hepatitis A, are practically at very low risk, doctors suggest people to be aware of symptoms.
“People with poor hygiene, people living with an infected individual are at high risk of acquiring Hepatitis A infection. Maintaining proper hygiene, proper hand wash, washing food thoroughly before eating, drinking boiled water and getting vaccinated are the best ways to prevent a Hepatitis A infection,” she added.
Dr Rex Sargunam, president of Tamil Nadu Health Development Association, stressed on the importance of streamlining storm water drains, to control the spread of dengue.
“Aedes aegypti, which transmits dengue, breeds in fresh water sources like stormwater drains. Corporation and local communities should take collaborative efforts to drain the stagnate water and close the drains. Oil should be poured on stagnate water to prevent breeding,” he added.
As the flight range of Aedes aegypti mosquito is not more than 100 metres, it will be confined to a particular place and is easy to eliminate, he added. If transmitted to pregnant women, the virus attacks the fetus developing mental disorders among the baby.
