By Dr. Amitav Mohanty | Medicine Specialist | Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar | ~900 words
Odisha's monsoon season brings relief from the summer heat — but it also brings a surge of preventable illnesses. From dengue and malaria to typhoid and leptospirosis, the months of June through October are when our hospitals see the highest volume of fever and infection cases across Bhubaneswar and the state.
As someone who has treated infectious diseases in Odisha for over three decades, I want every family to be informed, alert, and prepared this monsoon season.
The Most Common Monsoon Illnesses in Bhubaneswar
Dengue Fever: Spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, dengue cases spike during and after heavy rainfall when stagnant water accumulates in tyres, flower pots, and construction sites. High fever, severe joint pain, rash, and low platelet count are classic signs.
Malaria: Still prevalent in Odisha, especially in tribal and semi-urban areas. Plasmodium falciparum malaria — the more dangerous strain — requires immediate hospitalisation if detected.
Typhoid & Waterborne Diseases: Contaminated drinking water during floods and waterlogging leads to typhoid, hepatitis A, and cholera outbreaks. Children and elderly individuals are especially vulnerable.
Leptospirosis: Often overlooked, this bacterial infection spreads through contact with water or soil contaminated by infected animal urine. Walking through floodwater without protection is a significant risk factor in urban Bhubaneswar.
Red Flag Symptoms — Seek Medical Attention Immediately
• Fever lasting more than 2 days with no clear cause
• Severe headache with eye pain or joint pain
• Rash on the body along with fever
• Vomiting, loose stools, and signs of dehydration
• Yellowing of eyes or skin (jaundice)
• Bleeding gums, blood in urine, or unusual bruising
Prevention Tips for Monsoon Season
Prevention is always better than cure. Use mosquito nets and repellents, avoid standing water near your home, drink only boiled or filtered water, and wash hands frequently. Do not self-medicate with antibiotics — this leads to drug resistance and delays proper diagnosis.
If you or a family member develops a persistent fever during monsoon, do not wait. Early diagnosis through a blood test can identify dengue, malaria, or typhoid quickly, allowing timely and effective treatment.
Why Consulting a Medicine Specialist Matters
Many monsoon illnesses present with similar symptoms initially — fever, body ache, weakness. A trained Medicine Specialist can differentiate between these conditions accurately, order the right tests, and prescribe appropriate treatment. Misdiagnosis or delayed treatment for dengue or malaria can be life-threatening.
