By Dr. Aruna Sud , General Physician
Usually vectors are certain organisms that transmit various pathogens from an infected person to the other. These organisms are insects that suck blood; they feed on an infected host and become carriers of the disease, and then transmit it to the next host they feed from. Some organisms that transmit these diseases are mosquitoes, flies, fleas and sandflies. The most common vector borne diseases are:
- Malaria: Malaria is a disease that is caused by the ‘plasmodium parasite’, usually transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. The mosquitoes carry the parasite that infects red blood cells; these cells begin multiplying, eventually causing the cells to burst open.
- Dengue: Dengue is a condition transmitted by the ‘Aedes’ mosquito that has been infected by the dengue virus. It is characterized by symptoms of fever, muscle aches and vomiting. This disease can be fatal if left untreated or not treated at the right time; that is when the symptoms start showing.
- Chikungunya: Viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.
- Zika: Zika is a common vector borne disease that is also transmitted by mosquito bites. The symptoms of this disease are similar to those experienced if diagnosed with dengue.
- Yellow fever: Yellow fever is characterized by symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, fever and sudden chills. The symptoms of this disease can turn very severe and can prove to be fatal. The disease also causes one’s skin and the eyes to become yellowish, hence the name.
- Chagas Disease: This disease is caused by the pathogens present in the triatomine bug’s feces. The symptoms of this disease include high fever, swelling around the infected region, headaches and swollen glands.
Left Ventricular Assist Device or LVAD for Heart Failure
By Dr Manan H. Desai , Cardiology The heart is a pump which works constantly to pump blood to different parts of the body. The heart has 4 chambers, and the left ventricle which is the largest is responsible for pumping pure oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. This is done through a large blood vessel called aorta, which branches into a network of smaller and smaller vessels as it reaches the distant parts of the body. Due to various reasons, the heart may not be able to...
Mini Face Lift or Upper Eye Blepharoplasty: Which to Do First?
By Dr Anubhav Gupta , Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Your physical appearance changes considerably with progressing age. The skin starts to wrinkle and droop especially in and around your cheeks and the eyes. There are a number of techniques which help you to regain your youthful look. Most common procedures include a facelift which tends to remove the sagginess of the skin around your face or an eyelift which helps to treat the drooping eyelids and bagginess below your eyes. The two procedures can be compared on the following grounds: 1. Type of...
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
By Dr. K. S Somasekhar Rao, Gastroenterology Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder of the digestive system that is characterized by a reflux of the stomach acid or stomach content through the food pipe. This action causes irritation to the lining in the food pipe and leads to GERD. The symptoms of this disorder are common and not problematic unless they occur more than twice a week in a chronic manner. Symptoms- You will experience a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) that might spread to your throat, and leave a...
Deal with Low Sex Drive after Pregnancy
By Dr. M A Khokar , Sexology Do you shudder at the sheer thought of intimacy and intercourse after having gone through your pregnancy? And all of this despite having a spiced-up sex life previously? Do you find yourself feeling low as your passion and sexual desire take a back seat? Well worry not.. Conceiving a baby might have taken a toll on your libido but the good news is that this phase is transient. You would soon get back your former self and you can certainly deal with this particular phase...