The monsoon has finally arrived in the Capital and closely following the rains will be diseases like dengue, malaria, jaundice, diarrhoea and typhoid. According to experts, apart from diarrhoea the other post-monsoon diseases can make you sick for weeks with some patients also needing hospitalization.
Some basic precautions, if exercised in the right way, can keep you safe. But the civic agencies have an equally important role to play, keeping mosquito-breeding down and clamping down to ensure food and water quality is maintained.
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The Delhi government has already asked the medical superintendents of all the hospitals to nominate a nodal officer who will be in touch with the dengue cell created under the Directorate of Health Services.
“The medical superintendents of all the hospital should ensure adequate dengue testing kits for proper diagnosis. All the hospitals have been directed to check overhead and underground water tanks to ensure that there is no mosquito breeding,” said SCL Das, health secretary, Delhi government.
{{/usCountry}}“The medical superintendents of all the hospital should ensure adequate dengue testing kits for proper diagnosis. All the hospitals have been directed to check overhead and underground water tanks to ensure that there is no mosquito breeding,” said SCL Das, health secretary, Delhi government.
{{/usCountry}}“For the purpose of blood diagnostics, all the hospitals have also been asked to keep their labs in a state of full preparedness with reagents, chemicals, etc,” he added.
Dr Rommel Tickoo, senior consultant, internal medicine, Max Hospital said keeping the doors and windows shut, especially at dawn and dusk, to keep mosquitoes out and using insect-repellent creams, aerosol sprays and bed nets would also help in keeping the vectors at bay. “As far as possible, wear full-sleeved shirts and trousers and don’t allow rainwater to collect, especially inside water tanks, coolers, water pots and tyres,” said Dr Tickoo.
To guard against food and water borne diarrhoea, typhoid and hepatitis A that causes jaundice, experts also say that one should avoid eating out much, especially at roadside eateries. Drinking only packaged or boiled water and eating freshly cooked food are some of the other must-dos.
“Ice used in restaurants and juice stalls is another source of infection. Use swimming pools that are cleaned properly as these could be a source of infection too,” Tickoo added.
The government hospitals have designated wards to handle cases of dengue and malaria during the peak season.
“Patients come to us from all across the city and we are prepared for them. Anyone who comes with fever will be screened for dengue. There is a separate ward for dengue and malaria and around 50-60 beds set aside for them. We check regularly if there is stagnation of water in the hospital premises. If stagnant water is found, it is immediately cleared or sprayed with anti-larvae spray as per requirements,” said Dr Siddharth Ramji, medical superintendent, Lok Nayak hospital.
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