Latest news with #Plasmodium
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
10 common monsoon diseases that might cause serious health problems; know symptoms and how to protect yourself
The rainy season offers a refreshing break from the scorching summer, but it also brings a rise in illnesses due to damp conditions, stagnant water, and poor hygiene. These factors create the ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and mosquitoes. From waterborne infections to mosquito-borne diseases, health risks multiply during this time. Increased humidity can also weaken the immune system, making people more vulnerable. Being aware of the most common seasonal illnesses can help with early detection and prevention. Below are ten common diseases to watch out for during the rainy season to ensure you and your family stay safe and healthy. Diseases that surge during the rainy season: Symptoms and ways to stay safe Disease Cause Symptoms How to protect yourself Dengue Fever Aedes mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water High fever, severe body pain, rashes, weakness Remove standing water, use mosquito repellent, wear full-sleeved clothes, sleep under bed nets Malaria Anopheles mosquitoes carrying Plasmodium parasites Chills, sweating, fever, vomiting Use insecticide-treated nets, apply mosquito spray, stay indoors at dusk, ensure proper drainage Leptospirosis Contact with floodwater contaminated with infected animal urine Fever, muscle pain, red eyes Avoid wading in floodwaters, wear boots, maintain hygiene, keep surroundings rodent-free Chikungunya Mosquito-borne viral infection Fever, severe joint pain Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, use repellents and protective clothing, clean water containers Typhoid Fever Contaminated food and water Prolonged fever, weakness, abdominal pain, constipation Drink boiled/filtered water, avoid street food, wash hands, get vaccinated Cholera Ingestion of food/water with Vibrio cholerae bacteria Severe diarrhea, dehydration Drink clean/boiled water, wash hands often, maintain food hygiene, avoid raw food Hepatitis A Viral infection from contaminated food or water Jaundice, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain Drink clean water, wash produce, eat hygienically cooked food, get vaccinated Common Cold & Flu Viral infection triggered by monsoon humidity Sore throat, sneezing, cough, fever Maintain distance from sick people, wash hands, strengthen immunity, keep surroundings dry Fungal Infections Damp conditions promoting fungal growth Itchy rashes, athlete's foot, ringworm Keep skin dry, change wet clothes, use antifungal powder, avoid sharing towels/clothes Gastroenteritis Bacterial/viral infection via contaminated food/water Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps Eat freshly prepared food, drink safe water, maintain hygiene, avoid roadside food Common rainy season diseases , their symptoms and prevention Dengue Fever Cause: Spread by Aedes mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water Symptoms: High fever, severe body pain, rashes, weakness Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by a mosquito that thrives on standing water available during the monsoon. Sudden onset of high fever with intense body and joint pain are typically the first signs. Soon after, skin rashes and intense weakness develop. Immediate medical care and adequate hydration are needed to prevent developing complications of dengue hemorrhagic fever. How to protect yourself: Remove standing water around the house (flowerpot, coolers, buckets). Employ mosquito repellants and use full-sleeved clothing. Sleep in bed nets against mosquitoes. Keep windows and doors screened or closed at dawn and dusk. Malaria Cause: Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes due to Plasmodium parasites Symptoms: Chills, sweating, fever, vomiting Malaria is another mosquito-borne disease that culminates in rainy seasons. The parasites are inoculated into the blood by bites from mosquitoes, and they create cyclical fever patterns accompanied by chills and vomiting. Precautionary measures like sleeping under a mosquito net, applying repellents, and keeping the place clean and free from standing water can reduce risk to a large degree. How to protect yourself: Use insecticide-treated bed nets. Spray mosquito repellents indoors and outdoors. Stay indoors during peak mosquito hours. Maintain proper drainage to avoid mosquito breeding. Leptospirosis Cause: Bacterial infection from water with animal urine Symptoms: Fever, muscle pain, red eyes Leptospirosis occurs when you come into contact with urine-tainted water from infected animals, especially in floods. It produces flu-like symptoms like fever, body pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Avoid wading through floodwaters, practice good hygiene, and consult a doctor if symptoms appear. How to protect yourself: Do not walk through standing or contaminated water. Use protective footwear in heavy rain or cleaning. Practice hygiene and wash feet clean after exposure. Keep rodents out of your home and environment. Chikungunya Cause: Viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes Symptoms: Fever, severe pain in the joints Chikungunya is dengue-like but distinguished by prolonged arthritis-like joint pain. It is transmitted by the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue and most often causes acute fever with blinding joint inflammation. Rest, fluids, and pain control assuage symptoms in the absence of antiviral medication. How to protect yourself: Prevent bites from mosquitoes through repellents and screens. Eliminate breeding sites such as uncovered water tanks. Wear arms and legs covers when stepping outside. Clean water storage vessels regularly. Typhoid Fever Cause: Spread by contaminated food and water Symptoms: Prolonged fever, weakness, pain in the abdomen, constipation Typhoid is a life-threatening bacterial infection that is common during monsoons due to poor sanitation. It causes prolonged high fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal issues like constipation. Prevent typhoid by practicing food hygiene, drinking purified water, and taking the vaccine in risk-affected areas. How to protect yourself: Drink only purified or boiled water. Avoid raw salads, street food, and unclean restaurants. Wash hands with soap thoroughly before eating. Vaccinate in exposed areas. Cholera Cause: Eating contaminated food or water containing Vibrio cholerae bacteria Symptoms: Severe diarrhea, dehydration Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness that can result in sudden dehydration and death if not treated. It usually results from water or food contaminated with the illness in dirty environments. Oral rehydration therapy promptly is crucial for recovery, alongside water safety and sanitation measures. How to protect yourself: Drink only filtered, clean, or boiled water at all times. Keep yourself clean and dispose of waste safely. Wash hands often, particularly after using the toilet. Avoid consuming raw or undercooked food. Hepatitis A Cause: Viral infection via contaminated water or food Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue, nausea, pain in the abdomen Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused primarily by drinking contaminated water or food. The symptoms include jaundice, weakness, and gastric disturbance. Vaccination and proper sanitation practices are the best ways to prevent infection. How to protect yourself: Avoid consuming food from dirty food stalls or hawkers. Eat neatly cooked food and clean water. Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly. Immunization is strongly advised in endemic areas. Common Cold and Flu Cause: Viral infection caused by the temperature and humidity Symptoms: Sore throat, sneezing, cough, fever Monsoon weather promotes the spread of respiratory viruses, and a greater number of people get colds and flu. The symptoms are typically mild but cause inconvenience. Rest, excessive fluid intake, and proper hygiene measures, including frequent hand washing, allow for rapid recovery. How to protect yourself: Do not be in close contact with affected persons. Strengthen your immunity through a balanced diet and fluids. Cover mouth with tissues or the elbow while coughing/sneezing. Keep your environment clean and dry. Fungal Infections Cause: Fungi that thrive in damp environments Symptoms: Itchy scaly lesions on skin; athlete's foot; ringworm The rainy season's humid weather is an ideal environment for fungal skin and nail infections. Fungal infections like athlete's foot and ringworm are common in this category. Keeping the skin dry, wearing loose clothing, and using antifungal creams or powder prevent and treat these infections. How to protect yourself: Dry the skin and dress in breathable clothes. Immediately change out of wet clothing. Apply antifungal powders or creams if susceptible to infection. Avoid sharing towels, socks, or shoes. Gastroenteritis Cause: Bacterial or viral infection through contaminated food or water Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps Gastroenteritis causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines and results in vomiting and diarrhea. It is usually picked up through unhygienic food preparation or drinking contaminated water. Proper food hygiene and hydration are needed to avoid the most serious complications. How to protect yourself: All food must be freshly prepared and cooked. Don't consume exposed food from street vendors. Keep food in clean, cover containers. Keep drinking water clean and don't consume ice from unknown sources. Also Read | Bryan Johnson's routine reveals the future of healthy aging and live happily - know how he looks younger than his age One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Sir Ronald Ross and the mosquito link: how one nobel winning discovery changed the course of malaria control
Before Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897, malaria was understood to be a disease caused by bad air ('mal aria,' meaning bad air). While the disease was recognised and feared for centuries, the underlying cause was not known. Understanding how malaria spreads: A scientific turning point On August 20, 1897, while working in Secunderabad, India, Ross dissected a mosquito that had fed on a malaria-infected patient. Inside its gut lining, he observed the presence of Plasmodium parasites—the microscopic organisms responsible for malaria. This observation provided the medical community with the first solid evidence that mosquitoes act as carriers of the disease. Although French military doctor Charles Laveran had identified Plasmodium in human blood in 1880, the method of transmission remained unclear. Ross, building on the ideas of physician Patrick Manson, confirmed that the malaria parasite requires a mosquito host to complete part of its life cycle before being passed to humans. Marking this discovery, Ross noted in his journal: 'This day relenting God Hath placed within my hand, A wondrous thing…' These words captured not only a breakthrough in understanding infectious disease but also a shift in how malaria prevention would be approached from then on. A scientific method grounded in observation and precision Ross conducted careful experiments using birds infected with Plasmodium relictum, an avian form of malaria. He allowed mosquitoes to feed on these birds and later dissected them at regular intervals. Over time, he found the parasites developing in the mosquito's stomach lining -- later forming what we now know as oocysts. This work revealed the external (or 'extrinsic') development of Plasmodium in the mosquito. Ross had traced the full transmission cycle, proving mosquitoes were not just incidental but a necessary host for the parasite. His work became the foundation of what we now call vector biology—the study of how insects and other organisms transmit diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges Ross's discovery as a pivotal moment in public health, reporting that it 'opened up a new vista for prevention and control of malaria' Changing how public health systems responded to malaria Ross's findings had a direct impact on how malaria was managed in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Once mosquitoes were identified as vectors, public health teams focused on controlling mosquito breeding: draining stagnant water, managing swamps, and later using insecticides like DDT. Ross went on to work in Sierra Leone and Mauritius, where he applied these principles in real-world malaria control efforts. He used mapping, statistics, and population data to track infection spread—techniques that are still used in disease surveillance today. In 1902, Ross received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work. The citation read:'for his work on malaria, by which he has shown how it enters the organism and thereby has laid the foundation for successful research on this disease and methods of combating it.' His legacy Ross was also a prolific writer, poet, and advocate for medical education in the colonies. He pushed for more locally-run laboratories and for training Indian personnel in research methods, long before it became common practice. He also developed early mathematical models for how malaria spreads, laying the groundwork for what would become the Ross-Macdonald model—a widely used formula to estimate malaria transmission based on mosquito and human populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that Ross's work, in collaboration with George Macdonald, led to the development of a mathematical model of mosquito-borne pathogen transmission . Over 125 years later, Ross's discovery continues to influence how we fight malaria. Vector control—like bed nets, mosquito repellents, and larvicide treatments—remains one of the most effective strategies to prevent the diseas .The WHO emphasises that controlling insect vectors has played an increasingly important role in reducing the burden of malaria since Ross's discovery . August 20 is now remembered as 'Mosquito Day' in his honor, especially in India. His field lab in Secunderabad has been turned into a memorial, and medical researchers still refer to his original drawings and writings. Sir Ronald Ross died in 1932. At the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, where he later taught, his epitaph reads: 'He gave to mankind an immense weapon against death.'
India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Prevent mosquito bites, prevent malaria: Government lists simple measures
As seasonal changes and monsoons set in, health authorities are urging citizens to stay vigilant against malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that continues to pose a serious health threat in many parts of India. According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the best weapon in the fight against malaria is prevention, which starts with simple, everyday has made considerable strides in reducing malaria cases in recent years, but the disease remains endemic in several regions. As per the Ministry's advisory, staying malaria-free is not just about treatment, but about avoiding exposure in the first MOSQUITO NETS WHILE SLEEPINGNighttime is prime time for mosquito bites. Using mosquito nets while sleeping is one of the most effective and affordable methods to reduce contact with mosquitoes that may be carrying the Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria. Experts recommend insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for enhanced protection. These nets not only form a barrier but also kill mosquitoes that come in contact with the treated FULL-SLEEVE CLOTHESCovering up reduces exposed skin and thus, the risk of mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, especially during early mornings and evenings — peak mosquito activity hours — is a simple yet powerful way to avoid in particular, should be dressed in protective clothing when playing outdoors or attending school during mosquito-prone STAGNANT WATER IN YOUR SURROUNDINGSMosquitoes breed in stagnant water, and even a small puddle of water collected in containers, flowerpots, or discarded tyres can be a breeding ground. Regularly inspecting and clearing stagnant water from around your home is crucial to breaking the mosquito life are encouraged to cover water storage containers, keep drains unclogged, and ensure that rainwater does not accumulate in plant trays, rooftops, or empty INSECTICIDE AROUND YOUR HOUSEUsing household insecticide sprays in corners, under furniture, and near windows or doors is an additional layer of defence. The government also recommends community-wide spraying initiatives, especially during malaria season, to curb the mosquito alternatives like camphor, neem oil, and citronella may also help repel mosquitoes indoors, but should be used with proper children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at higher risk of severe malaria. For these groups, extra precautions like using nets and ensuring indoor mosquito protection are especially symptoms can include fever, chills, sweating, body aches, and, in severe cases, organ failure. Early detection and treatment can prevent complications, but prevention is the safer and smarter path. JOINING THE NATIONAL MALARIA ERADICATION MISSIONIndia is committed to achieving zero indigenous malaria cases by 2030, as per WHO's Global Technical Strategy. The Health Ministry urges all citizens to take personal and community responsibility in maintaining mosquito-free environments and promoting awareness in schools, workplaces, and message is clear: 'The fight against malaria begins with you.'By following these basic steps and staying informed, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from malaria this season. Simple actions like wearing full sleeves or emptying flowerpots can collectively save thousands of lives.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Myths about Malaria that could be dangerous
Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes and caused by Plasmodium parasites. It continues to be a significant public health issue in many tropical and subtropical substantial progress in raising awareness and improving treatment, myths and misconceptions about malaria persist. These misunderstandings can lead to delayed diagnoses, inappropriate prevention measures, and preventable complications. As we work towards eliminating malaria, it is essential to distinguish between fact and fiction. All you need to know from the expert Dr. Rajib Paul, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, 1: MALARIA SPREADS FROM PERSON TO PERSON Truth: Malaria is not contagious. You cannot catch malaria by touching, kissing, or sharing food with someone who is infected. It is transmitted exclusively through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. In rare cases, malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplants, or from mother to foetus, but direct person-to-person transmission does not 2: YOU CAN ONLY GET MALARIA IN RURAL OR FORESTED AREASTruth: While rural and forested regions may have higher mosquito density, urban areas are not immune. Poor drainage, stagnant water, and unplanned urban development provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes even in cities. With a changing climate and increased travel, malaria transmission is becoming more unpredictable, crossing urban-rural 3: MALARIA IS NOT A SERIOUS DISEASE AND CAN BE TREATED AT HOMEadvertisementTruth: Malaria is potentially life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Certain types of malaria, especially Plasmodium falciparum, can cause severe complications such as cerebral malaria, kidney failure, or even death. Self-medication without proper diagnosis can be dangerous, and relying on herbal remedies or over-the-counter drugs may delay effective 4: ONCE YOU GET MALARIA, YOU'RE IMMUNE FOR LIFETruth: Immunity to malaria is not lifelong. Any immunity acquired through previous exposure can wane over time, especially in people who leave endemic areas. Even those who have had malaria multiple times can get reinfected. No one is completely immune, and preventive measures should never be 5: MOSQUITOES BITE ONLY AT NIGHT, SO YOU'RE SAFE DURING THE DAYTruth: The Anopheles mosquito that transmits malaria typically bites between dusk and dawn, but activity can vary. Relying solely on the time of day to determine risk is risky. Protecting yourself during the evening and at night with bed nets, repellents, and covered clothing remains 6: ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS ARE DANGEROUS AND UNNECESSARYTruth: Modern antimalarial medications are safe when prescribed by healthcare professionals. Side effects are generally mild and manageable. In malaria-prone areas or while travelling, prophylactic drugs can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Avoiding them out of fear or misinformation could result in preventable 7: ONLY CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY ARE AT RISKTruth: While children under five, pregnant women, and the elderly are more vulnerable to severe forms of malaria, anyone can contract the disease regardless of age. Travellers from non-endemic regions are especially at risk due to a lack of THE FOG: WHAT WORKSTo effectively protect against malaria, it's important to follow evidence-based prevention strategies:Use insecticide-treated bed nets, especially while sleeping. Apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. Take prescribed antimalarial medication when travelling to high-risk areas. Seek medical help promptly at the first sign of fever, chills, or flu-like campaigns and public health interventions have significantly reduced malaria cases in recent years. However, busting persistent myths is equally important to sustaining this progress and empowering individuals with correct conclusion, combating malaria is not just about medication — it's about mindset. Dispelling myths, embracing science, and promoting accurate information will be vital in our fight to make malaria history.
Scroll.in
17-05-2025
- Health
- Scroll.in
Forests are mosquito hotspots but deforestation can increase malaria mortality
In 1990, India reported approximately 33 million cases of malaria. By 2019, that number plummeted to 5.5 million due to a host of government interventions designed to reduce malaria incidence. Deaths from malaria saw a similar decline. New research finds that forests may have played a marginal role in avoiding additional malaria deaths, even though forests are generally considered malaria hotspots. Forests – with their dense canopies and humid weather – are hotspots for malaria breeding and transmission in India. Malaria is transmitted when a female Anopheles mosquito carrying the Plasmodium parasite, bites a human host during feeding. Forested districts contributed to 32% of malaria cases and 42% of malaria mortality between 2000 and 2019, while harbouring just 6.6% of the country's population, government data shows. 'Mosquitos like the shade and humidity provided by forests. Forests provide ideal conditions for the entire duration of the mosquito's 12-day life cycle. Forest cover also makes it harder to spot breeding habitats, which makes it difficult to clear them,' said Ramesh Chand Dhiman, former director of the ICMR – National Institute of Malaria Research. But forest loss may also aggravate malaria transmission and mortality. The extent to which deforestation impacts malaria incidence and mortality in India is still being understood. Researchers from Ohio State University examined the impacts of deforestation on malaria mortality in 628 districts in rural areas, and found that on average, the loss of one square kilometre of forest resulted in 0.16 additional deaths due to Plasmodium falciparum per 100,000 people. P falciparum causes the most number of malaria deaths in India. Vexed relationship Deforestation has been linked to a rise in malaria transmission in the Amazon in South America. A study analysing trends in deforestation and malaria in the Brazilian Amazon across 13 years found that on average, across 795 municipalities, a 10% increase in deforestation led to a 3.3% increase in malaria incidence. 'The effect is larger in the interior and absent in outer Amazonian states where little forest remains,' a 2019 study, by Stanford researchers, says. In this study too, the main driver is P falciparum. The researchers hypothesise malaria incidence worsens in the interiors of the forest (where forest cover is high, compared to the outer states where forest cover is low) because after deforestation gives way to settlements and agriculture, 'malaria exposure leads to temporary immunity (in these parts), and housing quality and healthcare access improve.' The study goes on to state that these effects are strongest in the interior in the early stages of deforestation. 'As forest edge habitat increases, promoting mosquito vector breeding habitat, survival, and human biting rate, but the effects attenuate as forest loss progresses, forest edge area declines, and human settlements become larger and further removed from forest,' the study says. But because the mechanisms of malaria transmission are so complex and region-specific, the same trends are not seen everywhere. An analysis of malaria transmission in 17 Sub-Saharan African countries across 14 years found that forest cover and deforestation had no role to play in malaria incidence in more than 60,000 children studied. 'We speculate that our findings may differ from those of previous studies because deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa is largely driven by the steady expansion of smallholder agriculture for domestic use by long-time residents in stable socio-economic settings, where malaria is already endemic and previous exposure is high,' the researchers say, adding, 'In much of Latin America and Asia, deforestation is driven by rapid clearing for market-driven agricultural exports by new frontier migrants without previous exposure.' In India, the picture is still emerging. In Assam's Sonitpur, a longitudinal study found that deforestation did, in fact, lead to an increase in malaria incidence, while other studies have found deforestation changed the composition of malaria-carrying mosquito species in parts of the state. Researchers from Ohio State University have tried to capture this relationship at scale, looking at impacts of deforestation on malaria mortality in rural parts of the country. The study went a step further by trying to assign an economic value to the services forests give in preventing additional malaria deaths. In order to isolate the role of forests in malaria transmission, the researchers limited their analysis to three years – from 2013 to 2015 – in 628 districts. According to Daniela Miteva, lead author of the Ohio study, this is a short enough window to rule out behaviour changes that could influence malaria transmission, and is before the government introduced schemes distributing medicated nets 2016 onwards. 'We calculated the area of forest lost in a district, and then the changes in malaria within the cluster, which we defined as a 5 kilometre buffer area around a rural village. We then used methods that allow us to quantify what the causal impact is of the reducing forest within a district on malaria mortality in a cluster,' she said. The analysis only included mortality from P falciparum from the Malaria Atlas and World Health Organisation, since no data on mortality from P vivax was available. On average, a loss of one square kilometre of forest resulted in 0.16 additional deaths per 100,000 people. In economic terms, the ecosystem services provided by the forest in preventing these additional deaths was calculated to be between $1.26 and $85.9 per hectare, per year. But this impact is short term, and subject to change over the long term. 'The conversion of forests to urban areas may alter exposures and habitats for malaria; for this reason, the longer term impact of forest loss on morbidity and mortality is unclear,' the study says. Land use effect The exact mechanisms of how malaria is transmitted are determined by a number of factors, including exposure, vulnera bility to the disease, immunity, land use change, and prevailing climatic factors. India has fifty-eight species of anopheline mosquitoes, of which six are major carriers of malaria. Increasing humidity, rainfall and rising temperatures due to climate change are projected to intensify and lengthen the transmission period for malaria. The role of deforestation is less certain. Small forest clearings could make malaria transmission worse by opening up new channels of exposure to humans, but a complete clearing of forest and removal of mosquito habitats could result in less or no malaria transmission. 'This is what researchers call a U-shaped relationship, where forest clearing can lead to an increase in exposure, but only to an extent,' said Miteva. Dhiman is not convinced that forest cover can prevent additional malaria deaths, precisely because in his practice, high malaria endemicity and mortality are seen in areas with more forest cover. However, Dhiman did note that deforestation can change the species composition of malaria carrying mosquitos, which carries its own implications. In a paper published in 2020, Dhiman found that deforestation in the Bokajan region of Assam replaced the prevailing Anopheles minimus species with the Anopheles culicifacies species. The forested northeast region is normally suited to the Anopheles minimus, but the clearing of forest resulted in 'availability of open area exposed to sunlight, which is suitable for breeding of An. culicifacies v ector,' which is more resistant to insecticides like DDT, the paper said. 'Land use change can definitely impact malaria incidence. In this case, we found that reduction of forest cover made it suitable for another mosquito to inhabit in the plains. In other cases, land use change that introduces mosquito habitats, like irrigation canals, can lead to more malaria incidence,' Dhiman said.
