Top 5 Monsoon Disease And Its Diagnostic Test

Most of us can relate monsoon season to the idea of sipping a hot cup of tea, hot fried snacks, beautiful rainy views, and children playing in the mud puddle with paper-made boats. Monsoon brings down the heat and cools the land with heavy downpour while relaxing the mind.

On the other hand, monsoon also brings a range of infections owing to the sudden cooling down of weather and increasing the risk spreading of water-borne or air-borne diseases. The moisture in the air and stagnant water are perfect breeding homes for many mosquitoes and insects that can propagate the quick spread of infections. 

The immune system also gets weak during monsoon. And so, one can become more susceptible to catching infections. These monsoon infections can lead to life-threatening conditions if not treated or diagnosed early. Thus, an early diagnosis and treatment of infections during the monsoon is crucial as it can help prevent possible fatal outcomes.  

This article gives insights into the five most common monsoon diseases and the symptoms one needs to look out for with diagnostic evaluation options.   

Malaria, the most common disease of the monsoon season

Malaria is typically caused by infectious pathogen- protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Four species that cause disease in humans- P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae, spread through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. 

The pathogen causing malaria is gets injected into the bloodstream from an infected mosquitoe bite, causing the following symptoms:

• Extreme fatigue or weakness,
• Recurring fever with chills,
• Muscle pain, 
• Headache,
• Nausea and vomiting. 

However, malaria can be prevented by safeguarding against mosquito bites with mosquito repellants and mosquito nets, and prompt diagnosis and treatment. 

Malaria Diagnostic tests

Diagnostic tests for malaria include blood tests where the blood is drawn from the veins of the arms to test for the presence of the infectious malaria pathogen. The procedure of drawing blood takes less than five minutes. 

However, the tests can be done either or both the following ways. 

• Blood smear test: In a blood smear test, a drop of blood is smeared on a sterilised slide and examined under the microscope for parasites.
• Rapid diagnostic test: During the rapid diagnostic test, proteins or antigens released by malaria pathogens are analysed. However, rapid diagnostic tests need to be followed by blood smear tests to confirm a diagnosis. 

These tests are done once the physician confirms the malaria symptoms or suspects malaria infection.

Typhoid, a water-borne disease

Typhoid fever is caused by a bacterium called salmonella typhi that can lead to symptoms similar to food poisoning. Salmonella infection inducing typhoid requires prompt diagnosis and treatment that can otherwise cause serious complications. Typhoid can spread through contaminated water. Hence, it is advised to sanitise well, avoid outside food and have a good amount of fluids. 

 Symptoms of typhoid appear a week or two after a typhoid infection. Signs and symptoms of typhoid include:

• Persistent high fever that increases every day
• Body aches,
• Headache, 
• Extreme weakness or fatigue, 
• Persistent cough,
• Constipation

 Untreated and undiagnosed typhoid fever can worsen the symptoms causing,

• Loss of appetite, 
• Stomach aches, 
• Diarrhoea. 

It can also lead to life-threatening conditions. 

Typhoid Diagnostic tests

The basic tests for typhoid include blood tests such as,

• Blood Culture: The Gold standard diagnostic test for typhoid is the blood test where the blood sample is placed in a special medium culture and checked for the presence of the typhoid bacteria under the microscope. 
• Rapid typhoid agglutination test: This test checks the presence of antibodies (IgG and IgM) produced against the typhoid bacterium.
• Typhoid F immunoglobulin M flow assay (IgMFA): It is a typhoid-specific rapid diagnostic test where the specific IgM antibodies are evaluated using a one-step immunochromatographic lateral flow assay.
• Widal agglutination test: This is another common test for typhoid performed through agglutination.

These adobe tests can indicate the presence of typhoid. Probable symptoms and analysis can help the physician with typhoid treatment. 

Dengue, the break-bone viral fever

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is very common in the monsoon season caused by female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water bodies leading to dengue viral infection. Four known dengue serotype viruses can infect and spread through the bloodstream. 

The mosquito picks the virus from an infected person or the surrounding environment. When a person is infected with the virus causing dengue, the person will start to have the following dengue symptoms:

• High fever,
• Headache,
• Severe joint and muscle pain (Hence known as “break-bone fever), 
• Rashes on the skin,
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Sweating,
• Swollen glands.

In severe dengue cases, one may experience bleeding and trauma due to low blood platelet count that can be life-threatening. 

Dengue Diagnostic tests

Tests for dengue are done when there is a suspected dengue virus infection, commonly including the following.

• Complete blood count with platelet count: Dengue patients typically have a low platelet count that starts dropping once the fever falls off. Regular platelet monitoring is essential. 
• NS1 dengue antigen tests: This test is generally done during the first seven days of noticeable symptoms and dengue infection. The non-structural protein component (NS1) or antigen of the dengue virus is detected using a simple blood test. This test helps promote early dengue diagnosis and treatment.
• Dengue IgM antibody tests: This test detects the presence of IgM antibodies formed in response to dengue infection. However, this test does not determine the dengue virus serotype.  

Connect with your physician if you have any of the above dengue symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment. 

Chikungunya- transmitted through Aedes Albopictus mosquito

Chikungunya is also a mosquito-borne disease that can spread through the bite of infected Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes during daylight. Though not life-threatening like dengue, Chinkunguniya is severely painful and traumatising. 

This disease, commonly seen during the monsoon, has symptoms similar to dengue fever, including:

• High fever,
• Muscles pain,
• Acute joint pain that lasts for weeks,
• Weakness, 
• Nausea, 
• Skin rashes, 
• Headaches. 

If you have any of the above symptoms and suspect a mosquito bite during the daytime, you must consult your physician for a chikungunya test. 

Chikungunya Diagnostic tests

The blood tests for chikungunya infection, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), include:

• Detection of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) or viral RNA: It is the most definitive test for chikungunya. However, it may take around one to two weeks for completion.
• Chikungunya IgM test: This test enables a quick turnaround time which checks the presence of IgM antibodies produced in response to chikungunya viral infection.

Hepatitis A, the virus transmitted through contaminated food and water

Infections through water and food are high during the monsoon season. Hepatitis A is one such infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus that spreads through contaminated food and water. The common symptoms of Hepatitis A infection are:

• Nausea,
• Vomiting, 
• Low-grade fever, 
• Stomach aches, 
• Light coloured stools,
• Dark urine,
• Diarrhoea,
• Joint pain,
• Yellowing of eyes and skin,
• Loss of appetite.

Hepatitis A Diagnostic tests

The major evaluation tests for hepatitis A according to the WHO, are:

•  Hepatitis A IgM antibody test: This test detects the presence of the first IgM antibodies developed in response to hepatitis viral infection. 
• Hepatitis A virus RNA test: Tests the presence of Hepatitis A RNA through rt PCR. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fever common in monsoon?

Yes. Viral fever is most common during the monsoon. Viral fever is usually accompanied by common flu, cough, nausea, fatigue, and body aches. 

What is monsoon disease?

Monsoon triggers a lot of pathogen-transmitted air-borne, water-borne, and mosquito-borne infections, causing various diseases. And so, known as monsoon disease. Common monsoon disease includes common flu, dengue, malaria, hepatitis, cholera, and many others.  

What is rain fever?

Rainfever is like monsoon sickness that brings symptoms such as chills, high temperature, body aches, fatigue, increased heart rate, dizziness, and headaches during the monsoon. It can be a harmless condition or can lead to serious monsoon diseases. 

Conclusion

Monsoon diseases trigger a range of symptoms similar to common flu. Ensure to protect yourself and your family from these life-threatening monsoon diseases. It is highly recommended that you immediately seek medical help if you develop symptoms of these diseases during the monsoon. Swift and prompt diagnosis of these common monsoon diseases can help with early treatment and prevent their fatal outcomes.