Top 5 Reasons for Fever During Monsoon and Test to Diagnose Them

Have you notice that people are subjected to sickness more often during the monsoon season? For one reason or another, you will often find so many people around you talking about having a sore throat, getting high-grade fever, or sometimes possibly something even worse.

But, why is it that the incidence and cases of fever rise drastically during the monsoon months? Besides the sudden change in the weather, the environment during the monsoon months is an extended breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. 

Since fever is often the most common symptom of prevalent microbial infections, we tend to suffer from fever more frequently during the monsoon season.

This article will dive into the top 5 possible reasons behind fever during monsoon and what kind of tests you can conduct to diagnose and treat it.

What are the Top Reasons for Fever During Monsoon?

When we are talking about reasons for fever, we are primarily highlighting the common diseases that lead to such complications. To be fair, the reasons are way more than just the top five that we will mention here. However, these incidences account for most of the cases of fevers reported during the monsoon.

1. Malaria

Malaria fever is probably one of the most common and damaging monsoon disease of the lot. It is a parasitic infection that is caused by the Plasmodium parasite via an infected mosquito vector.

Since the condition is often fatal, getting an immediate diagnosis and allied treatment is more than a requirement, it is a necessity. The severity of the condition generally depends on the type of Plasmodium parasite the patient has been infected with.

Plasmodium vivax is the most common of the five and accounts for most of the malarial cases worldwide. The primary impact of this parasitic infection is on the red blood cells. It causes hemolysis or the breakdown of the red blood cells in the body.

Since monsoon leads to water puddles, which in turn leads to accumulation of stagnant water in the open areas, the incidence and risks of malaria are significantly higher during that period.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Sweating
• Flu-like symptoms
• Body ache, etc.

Tests for Diagnosis

• Malaria parasitic test
• Rapid antigen test
• Microscopy with blood smear test

2. Dengue

Another common mosquito-borne disease that peaks during monsoons that leads to high-grade fever is Dengue. Unlike malaria, dengue is a viral infection and affects the platelets in the body. The dengue virus (DENV) is generally spread via Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

The condition is very common in tropical and subtropical countries and leads to a variety of symptoms, including fever, skin rashes, muscle ache, joint pain, etc.

Since the disease typically affects the platelet count in the body, the treatment often starts immediately after a confirmed diagnosis. Treatment might involve symptom management, proper hydration, and eating a nutritional diet.

In severe cases, dengue can lead to risks of shock and bleeding too. Such instances need immediate hospitalization.

Tests for Diagnosis:

• Complete blood count CBC test (done frequently and often regularly)
• Dengue NS1 antigen test
• Dengue IgM tests (done regularly)

3. Typhoid

Next up on the list of fevers that increase during monsoon season is typhoid fever. It is a severe (and often life-threatening) bacterial infection that leads to fever and other severe complications in the body.

The condition typically spreads from infected or uncooked food. Salmonella typhi is the type of bacterium responsible for causing the infection in the body. If you live in areas where typhoid fever is common, you’d be instructed to get vaccinated for protection from the infection in the future.

Not just the stomach, the typhoid infection can easily spread to other vital organs in the body, leading to deterioration if immediate medical intervention isn’t implemented. Some cases can be treated at home but most typhoid fever treatments need to be done at the hospital.

The uniqueness of the fever caused by Typhoid is that it increases and decreases subsequently. This means that the fever is generally at risk through the course of the day and then reduce by the next morning and the cycle keeps on going.

Tests for Diagnosis:

• Body fluid or tissue culture
• Stool, blood, urine, or bone marrow is checked for bacterial growth
• Widal test
• Rapid Typhi IgM

4. Chikungunya

Although often overlooked, Chikungunya is another fever-inducing condition during the monsoon that you need to look out for. This one is also a mosquito-borne disease and is very common in Africa, and parts of Asia (including India).

Besides fever, the condition also contributes to uncontrollable joint pain and stiffness. Most of the treatment, in this case, relies on symptoms management since there are no medications available to directly treat the condition.

Some of the clinical symptoms of Chikungunya are similar to Dengue and Zika virus, so ensure that you cross-check all the possibilities before your doctor confirms a diagnosis.

Tests for Diagnosis:

• Serological tests like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)
• RT-PCR test
• Chikungunya IgM test

5. Hepatitis A

Last but not the least reason that contributes to high-grade fever during monsoon is a case of Hepatitis A. It is a severe (and sometimes fatal) viral liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The condition can be prevented by vaccination.

Typically, the infection spreads through contaminated food and water, especially from someone who is actively fighting the infection. Since the degree of virus in the environment grow multiple folds during the monsoon season, it isn’t surprising that hepatitis A fever is common during that period too.

The symptoms typically involve a low-grade and persistent fever, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, etc.

Test for Diagnosis:

• HAV IgM antibody test
• Blood test to look for the viral load in the body

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does monsoon cause fever?

Experiencing viral fever during the monsoon is pretty common and often results from the overgrowth of the microbes in the environment.

• Can rains cause malaria?

Since rain leads to elevated levels of stagnant water around, the growth of mosquito larvae is exponential during that period. Hence, the rate of malaria increases during monsoon.

• What causes fever during the rainy season?

The reasons for fever in the rainy season are quite diverse and are often a sign of an underlying infection.

Conclusion

Fever is generally the first active sign that your immune system is overactive and fighting something. Since the monsoon period often leads to heightened risks of infectious disease, being aware of such complications is ideal. The more you know about them, the easier it becomes to take precautionary steps and get tested for an early diagnosis. Remember that if you are experiencing any potent symptoms, it is always ideal to get immediate testing and a confirmed diagnosis to kickstart the treatment.