The country's southern state Kerala is struggling with chicken pox infection these days. In the last month, cases of this infectious disease among children have been seen increasing rapidly. According to media reports, 6,744 cases of infection have been reported in the state till March 15. Nine deaths due to chicken pox infection have also been reported. More cases of these infectious diseases are being seen in the country during the changing weather and rising temperatures.
Last year, some 26,363 cases were confirmed in the state, while the death toll stood at four. The state health ministry has advised everyone to keep taking precautions against chickenpox.
Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, president of the research cell at the Indian Medical Association in Kerala, says, that as the temperature increases, the risk of the disease also increases. This is an infectious disease, in which the infected may have a rash on the body along with fever and many other types of complications. Along with chickenpox, cases of measles and mumps have also increased in some states.
Mumps and measles cases in Tamil Nadu
Apart from Kerala, more than 200 cases of mumps have been reported in several cities of Tamil Nadu in the last 15 days. Measles cases are also increasing in some cities. Health experts say, these days an increase in cases of mumps along with measles and chickenpox is being reported. Many children are being seen in many clinics with puffy cheeks and swollen jaws.
Children are becoming the biggest victims of these infectious diseases. Therefore, parents need to keep taking preventive measures so that the risk of these infectious diseases in children can be reduced.
What is chicken pox?
Health experts say chickenpox is caused by a virus called Varicella-Zoster. There can be a risk of it spreading by coming in direct contact with the rashes on the body of an infected person. There can also be a risk of spreading this infection through droplets released when a person suffering from chickenpox coughs or sneezes.
People who have not had chickenpox before or have not been vaccinated for chickenpox are at higher risk of becoming infected with the virus. Most people who get chickenpox once become immune to it. However, some people may get chickenpox more than once.
Measles infection
Similarly, measles is also an infection occurring in childhood. Measles is a highly contagious disease, it spreads very easily to others. When a person suffering from measles coughs or sneezes, the droplets released can infect other people. Due to the vaccination of children against measles, its mortality rate has declined worldwide, but recent reports show that since a large number of children were not vaccinated during the coronavirus epidemic, there is a risk of an increase in this infectious disease. Could.
Ways to prevent chickenpox-measles
Health experts say the best way to prevent chickenpox, measles, and mumps is to get vaccinated. Everyone, including children, teenagers, and adults, should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine. MMR vaccine helps protect against measles, chickenpox, and mumps. Apart from this, all people are advised to maintain proper distance from the infected people. Taking care of hand hygiene can help prevent these infectious diseases.
(PC: Freepik)
