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Infectious disease experts in India say there have been no reported or suspected cases of monkeypox yet but with tourist season opening up, there is a high chance that the infection may ‘travel” to the subcontinent. Canada confirmed its first two cases in Quebec while 30 more are suspected to be also infected with the virus. This is adding to the growing number of cases in Europe and North America. Spain and Portugal have detected over 40 suspected cases of monkeypox, a viral infection rarely seen in Europe. Should India be worried? Dr. Behram Pardiwalla, Head of Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai told News9 that so far we have not seen any cases in the country. “However, the country has to be on alert since people have started traveling. Usually, the viral infection spreads through human contact and the person has to be exposed to the infected person for a prolonged period before he can get infected. It is thought that the reservoir is in the rodents (mice, rats). It is also thought that the incidence of the infection is more in gays,” Dr. Pardiwalla said. He also said that the chances of the infection coming to India can be mitigated if the people are careful while traveling. “They must stay away from those who have skin rashes. Monkeypox is not an infection that can be hidden. There are pustules (bulging patches of skin that’s full of a yellowish fluid) all over the skin,” Dr. Pardiwalla explained. He said that the person can get monkeypox only after the infected person develops pustules. “One has to be in very close contact – less than two feet of distance – for the person to get the infection. Otherwise, it is not possible to get this infection,” Dr. Pardiwalla said. What is the Transmission Rate? This is a communicable disease in humans. While only limited human-to-human spread has been reported thus far, it was estimated that the transmission rate was 3.3 percent to 30 percent. But in the recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the transmission rate was estimated at 73 percent. The World Health Organization reported a total of 75 cases and two deaths due to monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last week of February. During the first two months of 2022, 704 cases have been reported with 37 deaths. What is Monkeypox? It is a rare usually mild infection, typically caught from infected wild animals in parts of Africa. According to the NHS website, the disease is a relative of smallpox, causing a rash that often begins on the face. It was first recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1970s. The number of cases in West Africa has increased in the last decade. WHO Tracing the Virus During a conference, World Health Organization’s Maria Van Kerkhove said, “We are working very closely with our regional office and other agencies to evaluate each of these cases, the source of the infection, and forward contract tracing so that there is no further human-to-human transmission.” “Several studies are underway to understand the extent of the circulation of monkeypox. We are ensuring that testing is happening along with the isolation of people who are suspected of having monkeypox,” she added. Dr. Behram PardiwallaHead of MedicineWockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central To book an appointment call: 022-61784444 Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/monkeypox-alert-confirmed-cases-rising-in-europe-and-uk-expert-says-india-should-be-careful-as-tourist-season-begins-171347

As suspected shawarma-triggered food poisoning leaves a girl dead and sends 58 to hospital in Kerala, health experts advise Mumbaikars to stick to hygiene, stay alert for fever and bloody diarrhea Following the detection of Shigella and Salmonella bacteria in shawarma samples days after suspected food poisoning in Kasaragod district of Kerala claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl and left 58 unwell, health experts have cautioned Mumbaikars against eating roadside meat, especially during summer.  V R Vinod, Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala, said they got the test report on Saturday confirming the presence of the above bacteria in shawarma samples. “Also, the pepper samples collected from the said food joint in Kasargod also tested positive for Salmonella. We have intensified our crackdown on shoddy roadside food joints,” he said. Vinod said they have so far collected 125 samples from across Kerala and have destroyed 161.50 kg of chicken that was spoiled or kept in an unhygienic condition. Of 1,481 food joints inspected, Vinod said, 132 were found to be violating the FSSAI guidelines. He said, “Also, notices have been issued to 226 joints for violation of FSSAI norms, including operating without a license.” The state has come up with a helpline—1800 425 1125—for people to lodge complaints against food joints for violation of food safety guidelines. He quoted the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA, which said that every year there are 80 to 165 million Shigella cases worldwide and 6 lakh Shigella deaths annually. Dr Wiqar Shaikh said Shigella is mostly found in uncooked vegetables, chicken, and shellfish. Fever, bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dehydration are the common symptoms of Shigella, said Dr. Shaikh.  “…Shigella dysentery outbreak from roadside Shawarma-style meat dhabas should be treated as a public health alert in all states. The classical route of transmission of Shigella bacteria is from infected feces to the mouth of the new host. This happens when a food handler is a Shigella carrier and doesn’t wash his/her hands with soap and water…,” said Dr. Subhash Hira.   If meat is not cooked properly bacteria and worms can persist in it. “In metro cities, the public at large is fond of street foods and meat preparations like shawarma, which are common everywhere. When it comes to roadside food joints or dhabas, across highways, we do not know the hygiene parameters in such eating joints,” said Dr. Santosh Bansode, HoD, Emergency Medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.  Stressing that contaminated water is yet another significant source of spread of Shigella, Dr. Ketan Vagholkar, said citizens must report to their physician if they develop symptoms like loose, watery stools with blood in them. ‘Will educate street vendors’ A senior official from Maharastra Food and Drugs Administration said they have been holding awareness programs on hygiene and sanitary practices for food joints. FDA has also certified certain pockets in Girgaum Chowpatty and Juhu as ‘Clean Street Food hub’. “We will also educate the street food vendors on the Kerala incident, and ensure that they take adequate care of maintaining hygiene while cooking meat and non-vegetarian food, especially Chinese food,” said the official. Attempts to contact BMC health officials did not yield any result.  To stop Shigella Dr. Santosh BansodeHOD, Emergency MedicineWockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central For an appointment call: +918291101001 Source: https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/go-easy-on-roadside-meat-during-summer-caution-experts-23226315

Are you unable to focus on work owing to redness or dry eyes? Cannot perform your daily work with ease due to eye irritation or discharge? Then, you may be suffering from an eye infection, and you can blame it on the monsoon. Yes, that’s right! Monsoon is no doubt pleasing, but it also brings along a plethora of health problems. During the rainy season, you might be susceptible to eye infections as the moisture content in the air creates a favorable condition for bacteria, viruses, and other germs to grow and multiply. Eye infections are quite common during this time of the year. People can present with red eye, eye discharge, watering, light sensitivity, etc. The cause can be viral, bacterial infections, or allergies. The treatment for these need proper diagnosis and tailored treatment but there are some common things that one can do by the time one gets to see an eye specialist said, Dr. Sandeep Kataria, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Wockhardt Hospitals. Eye Care Tips For Rainy Season

The monsoon season is a welcome change after 3-4 months of scorching summer heat. However, while monsoon offers respite from the heat, it comes with its share of health risks. The damp & filthy conditions in the monsoon play a host for many disease-causing germs, which cause some serious health attacks like dengue, malaria,  conjunctivitis, typhoid, viral fever, GI disturbances, etc.  In today’s time, it is not just the monsoon that should be concerning but also the novel virus which has been plaguing the world. Hence the ideal thing to do would be to enhance one’s own lifestyle & boost the immune system. Healthy Diet Regime for Monsoon Enjoy the rainy season for as long as it lasts. Eat healthy to make sure a stomach infection or food poisoning doesn’t spoil the monsoon season for you. Avoid eating stale or roadside food. Have a healthy & safe monsoon. Mrs.Swati AwasthiChief Dietician & Nutritionist

Diabetic patients who fast during Ramadan are likely to be at risk of major health complications. Diabetes is a health condition that occurs when sugar rises in the blood as a result of a deficiency in the insulin hormone or the resistance of the body cells leading to the accumulation of glucose in the blood. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia). Diabetic patients who fast during Ramadan are likely to be at risk of major health complications. Hence they should fast only if their doctors consider them fit enough, experts say. The month-long period that is typically marked by long fasting hours during daylight hours is followed by a grand feast each evening after sunset (Iftaar), which can be continued till pre-dawn (Sehri). According to health experts, such long gaps between meals that range from 12 to 15 hours may lead to metabolic changes in the body, which can pose serious health problems for diabetes patients. “If you are diabetic but still want to keep the fast during Ramadan, it is always better to consult your doctor to take all necessary precautionary measures while fasting,” Vikas Ahluwalia, Director (Diabetes and Obesity Center) at the Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, told IANS. Restriction of fluid intake during such fasts can result in dehydration as well as fluctuations in sugar levels. “Long fasting, combined with food intake two-three times over a short span of time may cause wide fluctuation in sugar levels,” Rakesh Kumar Prasad, Senior Consultant (Department of Endocrinology) at Fortis Hospital, Noida, told IANS. Diabetics while fasting can either face hypoglycemia — a sudden fall in blood sugar levels — which can cause seizures and unconsciousness or hyperglycemia — an increase in blood sugar — which may cause blurry vision, headaches, increased fatigue, and thirst. Type 1 diabetics, or those who have a history of recurrent hypoglycemia, are at a higher risk if they fast. “Patients are required to monitor their blood glucose level at regular intervals. In case a patient is on insulin, there may be a need to change its dosage,” Shehla Shaikh, Consultant (Endocrinologist) from Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospitals, pointed out. Doctors said the condition of diabetics can worsen with a “potentially life-threatening complication” called diabetic ketoacidosis — a serious complication in which the body produces excess blood acids (ketones) and which causes vomiting, dehydration, deep gasping breathing, confusion, and even coma. They can also develop thrombosis, which leads to the formation of a blood clot. “Doctors and patients must work together on how to organize medication and diet schedules so that diabetes is managed effectively during the 30 days of Ramadan,” A. Ramachandran, founder of Chennai’s Dr. A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospital, told IANS. Ideally, one should consult a doctor a month in advance and follow the advice given on diet, insulin dosage, and any other medication prescribed, the doctors suggested. It is essential for diabetic patients to control the intake of high carbohydrate foods, as they affect the sugar level particularly for people with Type 2 diabetes. Consumption of carbohydrates such as sugar, rock sugar, palm sugar, honey, and sweetened condensed milk should be limited. However, carbohydrates with a low glycemic index such as brown rice, full-grain bread, and vegetables are better options than white rice, non-full grain bread, or potatoes. While breaking the day-long fast, the body needs to be well hydrated and one should drink sugar-free and decaffeinated fluids. “It is important for a diabetic to take natural sugar in the form of fruits instead of juices,” renowned dietician and nutritionist Ritika Samaddar told IANS. At Sehri one should eat food in small quantities. Avoid sweets, fried snacks, and foods that have high salt or sugar content. Also, one should not sleep soon after dinner. A minimum two-hour interval should be maintained. “It is important to take a balanced meal with 20 percent to 30 percent of it as protein. A good idea would be to include fruits, vegetables, and salads in your meals and to use healthier cooking methods such as baking and grilling,” Ramachandran maintained. The Sehri should include more proteins and fewer carbohydrates with lots of fruits, whole grain bread, whole grain low sugar cereals, beans, and lentils. “Combine the pre-dawn food with proteins like eggs or dal which gradually releases energy through the day. To make up for the whole day, a wholesome meal consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats is important,” Samaddar explained. “For diabetic patients, the decision to fast should be made keeping in mind religious guidelines for exemption and after careful medical consultation to ensure a safe and healthy Ramadan,” Ahluwalia noted. Source: https://food.ndtv.com/health/expert-tips-fasting-during-ramadan-for-diabetics-1417178

It is important to stay healthy and fit during the cozy winter season The winter season is pleasing and exciting. But, the change in season can also be bothersome for some. Hence, it is advised to stick to a proper exercise and diet routine to stay in top shape in the chilly season, recommends Dr. Jinendra Jain, consultant physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. Below, he shares some simple tips to stay healthy and beat the winter blues. Get enough vitamin D Yes, winter is all about cozying up at home but you shouldn’t miss the sunshine vitamin. You must just go out in the morning and try to soak up in the sun for at least 20 minutes. This will help you to keep your bones and muscles healthy. Moreover, that daily dose of vitamin D will allow you to perk-up your mood and stay active. Dress appropriately This is one of the most vital things that you must keep in mind. Wear woolen clothes when you venture out of the house. See to it that you wear full-sleeved clothes. Stay physically fit You will have to exercise at least 150 minutes every week. One can opt for yoga, aerobics, or dance at home. Exercising regularly can help keep your blood pressure levels under control and also boost your immune system. Manage those skin woes Winter can be harsh on your skin and make it dry and itchy. To top it all, the problem of chapped lips can also snatch away peace of your mind. Thus, it is essential to drink a lot of water and moisturize your skin from time-to-time. You will have to maintain good hygiene and wash your hands regularly. Follow a well-balanced diet Eat foods jam-packed with vitamin C as it will boost immunity. Try to include oranges in the diet. See to it that you eat fresh fruits and vegetables with all the essential nutrients. Opt for walnuts, foods with omega-3 fatty acids, and green leafy vegetables. Foods with omega-3 also contain antioxidants and even help enhance immunity. Ditch those pizzas, pasta, and even pastries. Sleep well In order to build strong immunity, one will have to get a good night’s sleep. Minimum eight hours of sleep can help you manage your stress and even burn those calories. Schedule check-ups and follow-ups Health issues like asthma, cold, flu, painful joints, cough, and even sore throat are persistent during winter.  Thus, you will have to stay in touch with your doctor and get to know about your health condition. Do not ignore your health, says Dr. Jain. Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/winter-tips-stay-healthy-fit-vitamin-d-7108353/

A minimum of eight hours of sleep can help you manage your stress and even burn those calories. Schedule check-ups and follow-ups, said Dr. Jinendra Jain, Consultant Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. Delhi NCR witnessed the coldest night in 15 years recently and the cold wave conditions continue to persist. Amid the pandemic, it is all the more necessary to take adequate precautions to keep health issues at bay. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued these guidelines that one should keep in mind to tackle the cold wave conditions. Dr Jinendra Jain, Consultant Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, suggested these tips to beat the winter blues and stay fit and fine. Yes, winter is all about cozying up at home but you shouldn’t miss the sunshine vitamin. You must just go out in the morning and try to soak up in the sun for at least 20 minutes. This will help you to keep your bones and muscles healthy. Moreover, that daily dose of vitamin D will allow you to perk-up your mood, and stay active during those chilly days. Dress appropriately This is one of the most vital things that you must keep in mind. Wear adequate woolen clothes when you venture out of the house. See to it that you wear full-sleeved clothes. Stay physically fit You will have to exercise for at least 150 minutes every week. One can opt for yoga and aerobics at home. You can also dance by playing music. Exercising regularly can boost your immune system as you will also be able to keep allergies and infections at bay and control blood pressure. Manage those skin woes Winter can be harsh on your skin. Your skin can become dry and itchy during those chilly days. To top it all, the problem of chapped lips is common. “Remember to keep yourself hydrated and moisturize your skin from time to time,” said Dr. Jain. Follow a well-balanced diet You will have to eat foods jam-packed with vitamin C as it will allow you to boost immunity. Try to include oranges in the diet. See to it that you eat fresh fruits and vegetables with all the essential nutrients. Opt for walnuts, foods with omega-3 fatty acids, and even green leafy vegetables. Foods with omega-3 also contain antioxidants and even help enhance immunity. Ditch those pizzas, pasta, and even pastries. Sleep well In order to build strong immunity, one will have to get a good night’s sleep. A minimum of eight hours of sleep can help you manage your stress and even burn those calories. Schedule check-ups and follow-ups Health issues like asthma, cold, flu, painful joints, cough, and even sore throat are persistent during winter. Thus, you will have to stay in touch with your doctor and be aware of your health condition. Do not ignore your health at all. Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/cold-wave-conditions-ndma-expert-tips-winter-immunity-health-7129819/

In the scorching heat, we often cling to colas or spicy street food that might seem delicious but aren’t gut-friendly.Let’s learn how to keep a healthy gut during summer. As we’re all experiencing the onset of summer and our diet slowly begins to adapt to the season, the threat of gastrointestinal problems looms. While the relaxed cooling diet is a pleasant change but we must take care of our gut health. “Every year, we see a rise in cases of diarrhea, vomiting, food poisoning, dehydration, typhoid fever and jaundice during the summers, due to the above-mentioned reasons. A healthy gut is often a mirror of overall health, and hence it is necessary to keep your gut healthy during this summer,” says Dr Mrudul Dharod, Gastroenterologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road  Here are five steps you can take to have a summer-healthy gut: 1. Ensure that you keep yourself hydrated While the summer heat is right around the corner, it becomes significant to keep our hydration levels high. Dehydration slowly leads to the threat of a weakened immune system. So it’s time to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, including homemade lemonade and buttermilk. Although you must avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee and aerated drinks since your body can become dependent on these in the longer run. 2. It’s time to strengthen the immunity system You can start boosting your immunity by preparing magic decoctions like herbal tea or a kadha made from tulsi, cinnamon, black pepper, dry ginger and raisin – once or twice a day. Adding jaggery or fresh lemon juice to this decoction can further boost its benefits. Let’s also try the good old delicious ‘golden milk’ (half teaspoon of turmeric powder with 150 ml milk). This age-old traditional drink is filled with many anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. 3. Your gut health craves probiotics The live bacteria/yeasts that can be consumed in food or supplements are probiotics. They have numerous beneficial effects on the body, most prominently serving our digestive health. We can feed our gut with healthy bacteria by increasing the consumption of naturally occurring probiotics rich food. You can try foods like curd, yoghurt, and fermented foods like idli, or supplements like Yakult. Curd or yogurt is surprisingly suitable even for lactose intolerant individuals. 4. Increase your consumption of fibre-rich foods Fibre is truly the recipe for a healthy gut. You must increase the intake of high fibre foods such as raw vegetables (adequately washed), salads, bran cereals, whole grain bread and fresh fruits such as figs, bananas and apples. Start adding greens like spinach/lettuce and lemon juice to salads. When you want to up your hydration game while increasing fibre-rich foods, you must eat yummy cucumbers, citrusy oranges and juicy watermelons this summer. 5. Avoid binging on junk food and/or spicy foods This must one must be a hard task but you must avoid or decrease intake of foods with high-fat content. Spicy foods when eaten in overdrive can also throw your gut health for a toss. Source: https://www.healthshots.com/healthy-eating/nutrition/take-these-5-steps-to-take-care-of-your-gut-health-this-summer/

Mumbai sees six dengue cases after first spell of monsoon The first spells of monsoon in the city have accompanied the deadly dengue fever. Six cases of dengue were confirmed in the city. While three patients were admitted in the Wockhardt Hospitals at Mumbai last week, three more visited the out patient department (OPD) ward of the hospital and were diagnosed with dengue. All three who were admitted to the hospital have been released. According to the doctors, all six cases of dengue hit people belonging to the age group of 25-50. Speaking about the cases, Dr Behram Pardiwala, a medicine specialist in the Hospital, said, “We received three dengue patients last week who were admitted in the hospital and were discharged after three days of treatment. We also got 3 patients who were detected as positive dengue cases in the OPD ward but are being treated at home.” Dengue is a viral infection caused by the bite of an Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is already infected with the virus. The primary symptoms of dengue appear three to 15 days after the mosquito bite which includes — high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes that is apparent when trying to move the eyes, joint pain, and rashes. After the city experienced rain, the water collected in the potholes have become the breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to the fear of another dengue outbreak. “We can come across more such cases if we are surrounded with stagnant water. Cases like typhoid and leptospirosis can also be a concern,” added Dr Pardiwala. Speaking about a number of dengue cases this year, Dr Padmaja Keskar, BMC’s executive health officer, said, “We haven’t yet received data related to detection of dengue cases in the city” Source :http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-sees-six-dengue-cases-after-first-spell-of-monsoon-2625111