Advertisement

Dengue, Malaria Cases On Rise: Tips For Speedy Recovery From The Infectious Diseases

Dengue fever has killed dozens of people in India this year. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has shared a few tips that can help accelerate your recovery from dengue or malaria.

Written By Longjam Dineshwori
Updated : September 24, 2021 9:49 AM IST

1 / 10

Dengue and malaria cases on the rise

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India is dealing with the rising number of dengue and malaria cases. India has seen over 14,000 cases in first 7 months of 2021, i.e. until July this year, according to official statistics. Uttar Pradesh state is the worst affected state, where the outbreak of dengue fever has already killed dozens of people. India's Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan also highlighted the emerging challenge of serotype-II (strain) dengue in 11 states, during a meeting held last week. Doctors across Mumbai are also seeing an acute surge in cases, with many patients requiring hospitalisation. As per reports, the city has so far recorded 360 cases of dengue this year, a rise from 129 cases recorded last year. In Tamil Nadu, more than 2,600 dengue cases have been reported till September 19, which is higher than the total number of cases (2,410) reported last year, according to a Union Health Ministry data. In Telangana too, dengue cases have already crossed last year’s figures. According to official statistics, 3,144 dengue cases have been reported till September 10, as compared to 1,293 cases reported during the same period last year. Speaking to news agency ANI on Wednesday, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said that Delhi has so far reported 211 cases of dengue this year with 87 cases reported from Sept 1 to Sept 19.

2 / 10

Similarities between dengue and malaria

Dengue and malaria are common types of mosquito-borne diseases. While malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquito. Malaria and Dengue have a few common symptoms such as headaches, lower back pain, flu-like illness, chills, nausea, vomiting, coughing and diarrhoea.

3 / 10

Differences between dengue and malaria

One main difference between the two diseases is that a dengue infected person will experience a massive drop in white blood cells and platelet count whereas a malaria patient will show infected red blood cells. Rashes are commonly observed in dengue patients, but not in malaria patients. Distinct symptoms associated with malaria include pain in the upper left abdomen, feeling full without eating, fatigue, temperature rise followed by chills and sweating. Unique symptoms of dengue are rashes, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands, intense headache, throbbing pain and internal bleeding.

Advertisement
4 / 10

Diet Tips for speedy recovery from dengue and malaria

As both malaria and dengue are caused by mosquito bites, prevention is similar: avoid mosquito bites. You can also follow some common dietary steps for speedy recovery from the diseases. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has shared a list of things that can help accelerate your recovery from dengue or malaria. These are easy to make/ do, she said. Here are the 5 tips she suggested:

5 / 10

Gulkand in the morning

Take1tsp of Gulkand either first thing in the morning or as an in between meals. This will help prevent acidity, nausea and weakness.

6 / 10

Include anti-inflammatory drink

Mix 1 glass of milk + 1 glass of water - add a pinch of haldi, 2-3 strands of kesar, tiny bit of jaiphal (nutmeg) and boil the mixture till its half the quantity. Have it cold or hot and add jaggery to taste. This helps reduce inflammation.

7 / 10

Have rice kanji

Rice kanji or pej is essentially a soup made of rice. You can add kalanamak or sendha namak, a pinch of hing and ghee to it. This prevents dehydration, loss of electrolytes and works on improving appetite.

8 / 10

Drink water through the day

Sip on water through the day to restore urine volume and check that colour is clear.

9 / 10

Practise Supta badhakonasana

Stay in the Supta badhakonasana, the Iyengar style with a bolster to support the back and a blanket under your head if needed to support the neck. This will help relieve back ache and body pains, as well as reduce fatigue.

Advertisement
10 / 10

Avoid mosquito bites

Avoid mosquito bites