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News18
18-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Cough, Cold, Or Something Worse? Why You Shouldn't Ignore Monsoon Flu Symptoms
Last Updated: Monsoon offers a breeding ground for the spread of viruses and bacteria. What looks like a common cold or viral fever might actually indicate something deeper. As the monsoon clouds roll in and bring a welcome respite from the heat, there's another problem that creeps up alongside – one filled with the heightened risk of infections. While many of us dismiss the flu during the rainy months as just a product of the weather change, this approach can be dangerous. The monsoon season in India is a breeding ground for numerous infections, and flu is one of the most commonly misinterpreted illnesses. What starts as a mild cold or fever is often treated with over-the-counter remedies, including antibiotics, which can actually worsen the problem. The onset of monsoon is accompanied by high humidity and pathogens, all of which create the perfect storm for the spread of viruses and bacteria. People often confuse flu-like symptoms with a common cold or the seasonal bug. This delay in recognising the illness can lead to more severe complications. Dr. Mahua Das Gupta, Director of Medical Affairs (Infectious Diseases) at HaystackAnalytics, says, 'Infections caused by respiratory viruses such as Influenza A (H1N1), H3N2, SARS-CoV2 and RSV can be severe, especially for those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease." The Risk of Misdiagnosis: Self-Treatment and Antibiotic Resistance In the rush to feel better, many people opt for self-medication, often reaching for antibiotics at the first sign of fever or cold. Dr Gupta says, 'This overuse of antibiotics has contributed to a growing problem – antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The WHO identifies AMR as one of the top ten global health threats, with an estimated 5 million deaths annually attributed to drug-resistant infections." 'The overuse of antibiotics accelerates the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making future infections more difficult to treat. More dangerously, the symptoms can escalate into complications like pneumonia or even organ failure, requiring hospitalizations that could have been avoided with earlier, more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment," adds Dr Gupta. Early Diagnostics: The Key to Preventing Serious Illnesses The good news is that early diagnostic tools can help prevent the flu from escalating into more severe conditions. Dr Gupta says, 'Advanced technologies, like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), enable clinicians to identify pathogens at the genomic level with speed and accuracy that surpass traditional methods. NGS can detect the specific virus or bacteria causing the infection, even those that are difficult to culture or detect, using older diagnostic methods." NGS can detect a wide range of pathogens in a single test, including bacterial, fungal, and viral agents responsible for respiratory infections, and even reveal the antimicrobial resistance profiles of these pathogens. With a turnaround time as quick as 24 hours, this technology empowers clinicians to initiate the most effective treatment without delay. How Genomics Can Help with Flu Diagnosis NGS-based diagnostic tests can help physicians move beyond broad-spectrum antibiotics and make data-driven treatment decisions. These tests provide a clear picture of which pathogens are involved, whether viral, bacterial, or fungal, allowing for targeted treatment. Dr Gupta explains, 'By providing a comprehensive pathogen profile, genomic tests also enable doctors to understand the exact nature of a patient's infection. Instead of relying on trial-and-error, doctors can make informed decisions about whether to prescribe antiviral medications, manage symptoms, or employ more aggressive treatments." A Call for Vigilance: The Role of Preventive Care As the monsoon season approaches, it's crucial to stay vigilant about flu and other infections. Flu-like symptoms during this time shouldn't be dismissed as just the weather. Early intervention with proper diagnostics can prevent complications, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and combat antimicrobial resistance. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
16-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Why That Persistent Fever This Monsoon Might Not Be What You Think
This monsoon, that lingering fever might not be 'just the rain.' As the monsoon sweeps across India, it brings with it the yearly surge of seasonal illnesses. What begins as a mild fever or body ache is often dismissed as 'just the weather," but these symptoms could signal something more serious, vector-borne infections like dengue, chikungunya, malaria, or even scrub typhus and leptospirosis. With symptoms that blur together, fever, fatigue, chills, joint pain, these infections are frequently misread, misdiagnosed, or simply ignored. The common tendency to wait it out or rely on home remedies and over-the-counter medication can delay treatment, an oversight that, in the case of monsoon fevers, may prove dangerous. Dr. Mahua Kapoor Dasgupta, Director – Medical Affairs (Infectious Diseases), HaystackAnalytics shares all you need to know: The Overlap That Masks the Risk Tropical fevers like dengue, chikungunya, typhoid, malaria, leptospirosis, Japanese encephalitis, scrub typhus, and enteric fevers often present with overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis difficult even for experienced clinicians. Many of these diseases are endemic to India and spike during and after the monsoon months of June to October. In 2024 alone, India reported over 2.3 lakh cases of dengue and more than 2.6 lakh suspected and confirmed cases of chikungunya. While global malaria numbers are declining, India still accounted for nearly 66% of cases in the Southeast Asia region in 2022. Despite such high numbers, many infections remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to their non-specific presentation. Why Timely Diagnosis Matters Empirical treatment—starting medication without identifying the specific pathogen—remains a common practice. However, this approach can be harmful. For instance, using antibiotics for viral infections contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global crisis that makes future infections harder to treat. A Smarter Way Forward How do we avoid the risks of delayed treatment and misdiagnosis? The answer lies in timely, accurate diagnostics. Traditional methods like culture, serology, or PCR have limitations in terms of comprehensiveness, early detection, and specificity. This is where advanced technology like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) makes a critical difference. NGS can detect multiple bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal pathogens in a single test, directly from a blood sample—successfully overcoming the limitations of conventional methods. NGS enables clinicians to identify the exact pathogen within 24 hours, even in cases where the infection is hard to diagnose. It provides a comprehensive pathogen profile from a single sample, saving both time and resources. For example, if a patient presents with fever, chills, and fatigue, NGS can distinguish between dengue, malaria, brucellosis, and other illnesses with similar symptoms. This precision ensures that the correct treatment is started promptly, avoiding the guesswork often seen in viral fever cases. The Takeaway This monsoon, that lingering fever might not be 'just the rain." With rising cases of tropical fevers and co-infections, ignoring early symptoms or relying on guesswork could delay care and lead to serious complications. Advanced diagnostic tools like NGS are providing both patients and doctors the clarity they need quickly and accurately. As seasonal fevers grow more unpredictable, embracing timely, precise diagnostics isn't just smart medicine it's essential. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 15:59 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
