Infectious diseases of monsoon spreading at faster rate: Study

A leading private insurance company's report has revealed that the number of people applying for mediclaims during monsoon was higher in 2015-16 than in 2014-15, indicating that the incidence rate of infectious diseases was increasing. The pan-India study further stated that Mumbai led the chart with highest number of claims – 23% – followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 22%.

According to the report, the number of claims during monsoon rise dramatically because of the increase in incidence rate of fever, dengue, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and other diseases.

"We wanted to understand the trend in terms of prevailing diseases during monsoon. It was found that while the number of claims in months other than monsoon were consistent, the number of claims made during the rains rose in 2015-16, as compared to 2014-15. Of the total number of mediclaims we had in 2015-16, 36.14% were for fever, followed by dengue at 19%," said Sanjay Datta, chief underwriting claims and reinsurance, ICICI Lombard.

According to the report, gastroenteritis and respiratory infection, followed by typhoid claims, topped the chart after fever and dengue. "The analysis reveals that the rate of incidence of infectious diseases is on a rise year on year, especially during monsoon," said Datta.

Every monsoon, municipal hospitals see a 25% rise in the number of patients. "Rains have just begun, but we have been witnessing a steady flow of patients with symptoms of viral fever and gastroenteritis," said Dr Pratit Samdhani, physician at Jaslok hospital.

According to doctors, people with diabetes, hypertension and low immunity should be especially careful about what they eat and drink during this season. "People with diabetes and hypertension should keep their blood sugar levels and blood pressure under control. People with respiratory problems such as asthma should also be very careful. In comparison to the general population, they are more prone to diseases and their complications.

We advise these people to take vaccines that can protect them from typhoid, hepatitis and respiratory ailments," said Dr Anil Ballani, physician at the Lilavati hospital.

Doctors have also warned against eating out during monsoon and have urged people to maintain personal hygiene to avoid spreading infections. "Unhygienic eating habits, such as eating out often, not washing vegetables and fruits before eating, drinking unsafe water and gulping cold drinks or ice creams, lead to rising number of cases of gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid. It is, therefore, necessary that we be careful with what we eat and drink in monsoon," said Dr Subodh Kedia, a Bandra-based family physician.