Self-Medicating? Your Fever Could Turn Fatal

Summary:

The misuse of antibiotic medicines may be leading to simple viral fevers turning fatal.
It’s that time of the year again, monsoon time and the viral fever outbreaks. Adding to it are poor sanitation, erratic climatic conditions, hectic lifestyle, lower immunity and misuse of antibiotics that can be a precursor to chronic illnesses in the near future.
Gone are the days when influenza strains were easy to treat and cure. The new lot of seasonal illnesses does not follow any pattern and is unpredictable.

Lethal Combination of Erratic Climate, Hectic Lifestyle and Viral Infections

The climatic conditions are no longer as they were 70 years ago, when each season had a fixed tenure. In the present day scenario, it rains any time of the year, temperatures fluctuate daily, a rise in seen in development of the urban regions, citizens migrate from one part of the country to another as per their job requirements, lack of cleanliness, more breeding grounds for mosquitoes and viruses, seasons are unpredictable – all these give rise to growth and spread of viral fevers like dengue, influenza and malaria, among others.

Post-COVID Shows Low Immunity and Newer, Stronger Viruses

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were cooped up at home with minimal exposure to germs, viruses, or infections. Those who contracted the COVID-19 virus were left with weakened immune systems.
There has been an emergence of newer strains of the viruses (dengue, influenza) that do not react to the medication given, thereby leading to serious health complications from the viruses.

Breeding Grounds

All the above reasons lead to vector-transmitted diseases (those that are transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or other living organisms) that are showing an upward trend. The potholes, bad roads, and poor drainage system lead to stagnation of rainwater, and the increase of humidity, making those regions perfect and ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and viruses.

The Illnesses

The above factors lead to illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and influenza, which are no longer restricted to a particular time of the year. So much so that public experts feel that there should be “weather-linked disease forecasting models” instead of the traditional “fever season”.

Self-treatment with Antibiotics

We all pop antibiotics for a fever or cold, assuming that it will be cured, as per the videos we see on social media or as suggested by a friend. The use of antibiotics without medical intervention may prove fatal. This prolonged use of antibiotics for each and every minor ailment may make our body resistant to antibiotics when they are actually required. If you contract a high fever and are prescribed antibiotics, they will not work. You have had so many antibiotics over a period of time that they have lost their efficacy and weakened your immune system.

Preventive Measures

The public health department must take note of the above and take preventive measures to curb the outbreak of these diseases.

Prevent water stagnation
Regular cleaning of the region
Effective drainage and sewerage systems
Regular spraying of insecticides to curb breeding
Awareness creation about the rise of vector-borne illnesses and how to prevent them
Conduct Vaccination drives
Increase blood tests of individuals with/without symptoms
Prepare for isolation, if required
Educate the people about wearing masks in public/ congested areas
Maintaining hand hygiene by regular washing or using sanitisers
Ways to protect ourselves when we come into contact with an infected person
Keeping children and senior citizens away from infected persons

Conclusion

Our health is in our hands, and we should do all we can to stay hale and hearty. Self-medication may prove fatal in the long run, so it is best avoided. Doctors are just a message/call away, so consult them and don’t self-medicate. Climate change is not in our hands, but let us be prepared for any medical conditions by taking preventive measures. Better safe than sorry! A healthy lifestyle may improve our immunity so we can combat illnesses better and recover faster.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources