India is witnessing the southwest monsoon and it has covered the entire country. Although the heavy downpour is giving relief from the scorching heat, it is also contributing to the rise in monsoon-related illness. The country is also witnessing a rise in vector-borne diseases like dengue and usual monsoon fevers.
“As a doctor, I’ve seen many patients come in with symptoms that could be either monsoon fever or dengue. It’s crucial to differentiate between the two, as timely treatment can make all the difference,” Dr. Neha Rastogi Panda, Consultant-Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram told Financial Express.com.
Understanding monsoon-related illnesses
Monsoon brings in a plethora of illnesses commonly referred to as monsoon fevers. According to Dr Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, these fevers are typically caused by viral or bacterial infections that thrive in weather conditions during the rainy season.
“Weather is typically warm with lots of humidity which is ideal for the growth of infective organisms. Some of the common viral infections that happen during this season are influenza (flu), common cold viruses, jaundice or hepatitis, and gastroenteritis,” Dr. Tayal told Financial Express.com.
Bacterial infections like typhoid, cholera, and leptospirosis are also pretty common during the monsoon season and are primarily spread due to contaminated food and water. The common symptoms of most of these diseases start with fever of varying degree, loose stools, vomiting and nausea, cough, nasal congestion and bodyache, he said.
What is the difference between monsoon fever and dengue?
While both present with fever, pain, and fatigue, dengue typically has a more sudden onset, severe body pain, and a characteristic rash.
According to Dr. Panda, many people infected with dengue don’t experience any symptoms at all. It’s crucial to be aware of the warning signs of severe dengue, which can develop 1 or 2 days after the initial fever subsides.
“These signs are a medical emergency and require immediate attention. They include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in your stool or vomit, easy bruising, difficulty breathing, and extreme fatigue or restlessness,” She told Financial Express.com.
Monsoon fever, on the other hand, refers to a constellation of various infections that happen during the rainy season.
“The principal culprits include food-borne illness – hepatitis A, E, Enteric fever ( typhoid) and vector-borne illness – dengue, chikungunya. Monsoon fever may have a more gradual onset and can be accompanied by respiratory symptoms like cough and cold. It’s essential to get a proper diagnosis through blood tests and physical examination, and not rely solely on symptoms,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tayal revealed that the dengue symptoms last for 4-5 days after which the critical period starts where the BP falls, fluid accumulates in the lungs and abdomen and rash develops. Some patients may also show a fall in platelet counts and bleeding manifestations.
What difference in the symptoms of other monsoon illnesses and dengue?
According to Dr. Tayal the difference in the symptoms of other monsoon illnesses and dengue are as follows:
- Dengue fever is generally higher reaching up to 104 F
- Cough, running nose and loose stools are generally not seen in dengue
- Joint pain, headache and backache are extremely severe in dengue
- Rash may not be seen in other monsoon illnesses
- Bleeding tendency is rarely seen in other monsoon illnesses
“Further confirmation of dengue may be done with the help of blood tests which should not be done on the first day of illness. Following tests may be done,” D. Tayal told Financial Express.com.
- Dengue NS1 Antigen Test: Detects dengue virus antigen in the early stages.
- Dengue IgM Antibody Test: done for confirmation of disease in the later phase
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Checks for low platelet count and hemoconcentration, which are indicative of dengue.
Early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes, Dr. Panda revealed.