Risk of COVID coinfection increases during monsoons; Here's how you can prevent it?
Risk of COVID coinfection increases during monsoons
Heavy monsoons have started to hit different parts of India and while it provides a sense of relief from the scorching summers, it sure has increased the risk of transmission of vector-borne diseases like dengue. The combination of the two illnesses can be extremely deadly. With COVID-19 taking a toll on your respiratory health and affecting every other part of the body, dengue can make it even harder to recover.
What is a coinfection?
Coinfection is when a person contracts two or more diseases at the same time. That means, simultaneous infection of a healthy cell by two or more virus particles.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many instances of co-infection have occurred. During the monsoons, the chances of dengue increase, which means that simultaneous infection of COVID-19 and dengue is a challenge posed to many doctors and medical professionals.
What is the downside of getting Dengue amid COVID-19?
The novel coronavirus is and continues to be a difficult illness to tackle. It has taken a massive toll on people and has also claimed many lives during the course of its existence.
Now with the monsoons here, health officials and authorities are looking for ways to contain the risk of coinfection of dengue and COVID-19. Experts believe that simultaneous infection of both these illnesses not only make treatment difficult but also provide no results. Apart from that, since the symptoms of the two diseases can sometimes overlap, it can lead to confusion and also cause delay in diagnosis.
Common symptoms that can confuse you
When it comes to dengue and COVID-19, there can be symptoms that are hard to tell apart. Both share common ailments that can lead to confusion and cause difficulty in identifying the source of illness.
Fever, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain are some of the symptoms of dengue that can also appear in COVID patients. Occasionally patients down with dengue can experience nausea and vomiting too.
Is it COVID-19 or Dengue? Here's how you can tell the difference
While it may be difficult to differentiate between dengue-induced fever, fatigue and body ache, there are certain additional symptoms of COVID-19 that may help you identify the source of your illness.
Respiratory complications like dry cough, sore throat, loss of sense of smell and taste are all symptoms of COVID-19, which are less likely to be found in dengue patients. However, due to increased risk of coinfection, a person can be diagnosed with both dengue and COVID-19 at the same time.
How to prevent the risk of coinfection?
Diagnosis plays an important role in tracking coinfection in people. While overlapping symptoms make it difficult for medical staff to differentiate between ailments caused by COVID-19 and that by dengue, it is important that diagnosis for all infections are conducted accordingly.
Apart from that, with monsoons here, it is crucial that we as individuals do our part and take preventive measures to contain the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Following the general guidelines for preventing dengue such as avoiding the accumulation of freshwater, using mosquito repellent, wearing full sleeved clothes can really help us manage dengue risks. At the same time, we must follow COVID guidelines efficiently and be aware of the risks that can come along with negligence.