PharmEasy Blog

If You Have A Fever, Have You Contracted COVID-19?

For more than a year and a half, COVID-19 has dominated the news and been the chief topic of conversation. After the destruction it wreaked during the second wave, it is not surprising that people start panicking the moment their body temperature exceeds the normal. Fever is one of the primary symptoms of COVID-19. Doctors have been telling us to get an RT-PCR test done if we experience fever and other signs of COVID-19.

While it is always better to be safe than sorry and get tested for COVID-19, you need to know that having a fever does not always mean that you have contracted a COVID infection. It could just be a seasonal fever. But fever is also a common symptom associated with many other infections and diseases. You need to be wary of them as well.

Monsoon illnesses

Monsoon is that time of the year when multiple diseases strike India. Some of these diseases are harmless while others have the potential to become deadly. Many of the symptoms of these diseases are rather similar to COVID-19. You need to be able to differentiate them so that you can take the right action at the right time.

Let us look at monsoon diseases more closely.

Types of monsoon diseases

In India, there are 3 types of monsoon illnesses:

  1. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, chikungunya or dengue.
  2. Water-borne illnesses like typhoid or cholera.
  3. Virus-borne diseases like the flu or the common cold.

The similarities

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell the diseases apart from the symptoms they trigger. Here is how they are similar:

How will you know which disease you are down with?

Wondering about the differences between the monsoon diseases and COVID-19? Viral fever vs corona or common cold vs COVID or malaria vs COVID, how can they be differentiated? By understanding the symptoms you are experiencing:

How can you be sure about which disease you have contracted?

The best way to know which illness you are down with is to consult a doctor the moment your symptoms show up. Doctors are more adept at understanding your symptoms and linking them to the diseases that might be causing them. For diagnosis, doctors recommend tests. For example, usually, the MAC-ELISA blood test is recommended for detecting dengue, the Widal test for typhoid and the Culture Method is prescribed for cholera.

It is imperative that you do not waste time once you start experiencing symptoms. Diseases like dengue, typhoid or cholera can be fatal if you are not given the right medication as soon as possible.

How to keep yourself safe from monsoon illnesses?

Prevention is always more preferable to cure. There are a few simple ways you can keep yourself safe from monsoon illnesses:

If you or your loved ones are ill, seek medical help immediately, even if you think the symptoms are minor. With proper medication, nutrition and care, it is possible to bring monsoon illnesses and COVID-19 in control but only if the diagnosis happens at the right time.  

Also Read: Dolo 650 Uses

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Useful Tips To Manage Asthma During Monsoon

  

There is no denying that the first shower of the monsoon after hot days of summer rejuvenates our ‘ole dull lives. However, monsoon does not just bring a pleasant breeze, it also results in an increase in dampness and fall in the temperature, often bringing multiple risks associated with breathing issues. Those with asthma and other breathing-related allergies, therefore, have to be a little cautious when enjoying the season. However, don’t fret! To keep your asthma issues at bay, we present some precautionary measures that you can easily incorporate during your monsoon days so that you can enjoy the showers like the rest of us.

Take Care of those Dampen Walls

During rainy days, a majority of us complain about the dampness in the walls. Therefore, it is crucial that you prevent your walls from getting dampened as moist walls could worsen your asthma symptoms. Moreover, they could also lead to other respiratory issues. If possible, get damp-proof work done. Likewise, you could also mould off the walls with anti-moisture or anti-mould bleach. Additionally, if you could afford to invest in a good dehumidifier or air purifier to control the atmosphere within the house, that will be helpful.

Keep the Doors and Windows Closed

Rainy days are the breeding times for various health issues. So, it is always in your safety to keep the doors and windows of your house closed, especially in those places where water is heavily involved such as the kitchen, wash area or bathrooms. Doing so will help reduce the circulation of moisture in the atmosphere. Moreover, proper cross-ventilation also helps. This means the more the sunlight enters your house (even for a shorter time), the better it helps in keeping the unneeded moisture away. You could also use blinders instead of curtains to ensure the limited entry of dust inside your house. If possible, try to stay home as much as you can or wear a dust mask while going outside.

Avoid Indoor Plants for a While

If you are a plant lover and have any indoor plants in your bedroom, it is time to keep them away. Research suggests that monsoon leads to an increased presence of pollen grains in the air. Moreover, since pollen grains could trigger asthma attacks, it is better to avoid keeping plants inside the home.

Pets and You

In case you have a furry pet in your house, ensure that your pet’s movement is somewhat restricted. As pets usually prefer to stay indoors during the monsoon to avoid getting wet, there is a high probability of them shedding their fur on the floor. Since asthma could also be triggered by animal fur, especially in children, it is better that you keep restricted contact with your furry loved ones.

Apart from all these tips mentioned above, it is essential that you take asthma medications regularly. Moreover, avoid catching a cold or flu. While these precautionary tips would secure you from additional breathing issues during the monsoon days, it is always advisable to seek your doctor if you notice anything unusually different about your asthma symptoms.

Read More: Asthma Treatment – What You Need To Know

Happy Monsoon!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.