My Science School

Hospitals in Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing a surge in dengue cases with the number of cases reported exceeding one lakh. The Union health ministry has sent teams of experts to the nine States and Union Territories to support them in public health measures for control and management of the disease. What is dengue, what causes it, what are the symptoms to look out for, and how is it treated? Let's find out.

A mosquito-borne infection Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. When a mosquito bites us, it not only sucks blood but also secretes saliva that enters our bloodstream. This is how an infected mosquito passes on the infection. Dengue is a seasonal disease which witnesses a surge in cases post-rain. Dengue virus causes fever and haemorrhagic symptoms.

Dengue infections are caused by four related viruses namely DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 belonging to the genus Flavivirus. These four viruses are called serotypes because each has different interactions with the antibodies in our blood serum. The four dengue virus serotypes mean it is possible to be infected more than once. In other words, being infected from one dengue virus does not guarantee protection from the other three. Once a person gets infected, he becomes the main carrier of the virus and passes it to uninfected mosquitoes. After recovery, he becomes immune to that particular serotype for lifetime.

Flying killers

Mosquitoes thrive in tropical regions. Dengue mosquitoes breed only in clear water. They lay eggs on the surface of the water which hatch in eight days (or even less in extremely warm weather).

Mosquitoes take refuge in dark spaces indoors and use puddles, tree holes, discarded vehicle tyres, and plant pots around homes to breed. If water is not allowed to stagnate, mosquitoes cannot multiply. Did you know that only female mosquitoes are capable of biting us? They feed on our blood to source protein for their eggs.

According to the World Health Organization, mosquito-borne diseases kill several million people worldwide, every year.

Dengue symptoms

Dengue causes a severe flu-like illness that may last up to a week. In some cases, the fever could be life-threatening, resulting in bleeding, a fall platelet count, and sometimes extremely low blood pressure. Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, acute stomach ache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. They begin to manifest three to 14 days after the bite. The severity of the symptoms increases if the infection is not treated properly and in time. Seek medical advice immediately if you have a fever or develop any of the dengue symptoms.

At present, there are no vaccines for dengue or specific medications to treat it. Pain killers are prescribed for relief from symptoms. Drinking plenty of fluids and taking ample rest are also advised. So the best way to protect ourselves from dengue is to avoid mosquito bites by sleeping under the net using mosquito repellent, etc.

Picture Credit : Google

The Union Ayush Ministry launched a mobile app called "Y-Break" on September 1, 2021. What is this app for?

"Y-Break" is nothing but a Yoga-Break app, a five-minute yoga protocol designed to help working professionals remain fit and healthy, and thereby increase their productivity. The aim of the app is to help them de-stress, refresh, and refocus through simple yoga asanas that can be done in five minutes.

Ever since the pandemic broke out in 2019, it has had a great impact on people, especially office-goers. We often hear of people experiencing stress and anxiety besides physical problems on account of their sedentary occupation. It is said that the Y-Break app has been developed keeping in view the working population as it is expected to give them some relief at the workplace.

How is it beneficial?

The Y-Break app intends to introduce people at the workplace to yoga. It promotes the idea of a five-minute break from work to practise yoga and feel refreshed. The Yoga-Break protocol consists of asanas, pranayama, and dhyana, and can integrate seamlessly with people's work routine.

Simple stretching exercises such as Tadasana, Urdhva Hastottanasana, Uttana Mandukasana, Kati Chakrasana. Ardha Chakrasana, and Bhramari Pranayama among others make up the protocol. Besides enabling people to perform stretching exercises and meditation with ease anywhere in just five minutes, the app will help create awareness about different yogic practices.

The mobile app was launched by Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations organised by the Government to commemorate the 75th year of India's Independence. The launch of the app has been termed as one of the significant initiatives of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy).

Who developed the app?

The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNY), an autonomous body under the Ayush Ministry, has developed the Y-Break app, which is available on both iOS and Android platforms.

A pilot study to find the efficacy of the yoga protocol was undertaken in six major metro cities on a sample size of 717 participants aged 18 and above. Fifteen-day trials involving participants from private and government bodies were conducted by the MDNIY in collaboration with six leading yoga institutes of the country.

The participants were selected taking into consideration the various problems they were suffering from such as lower back pain, headache, anger, and stress. The study showed positive outcomes. It was also recognised that yoga break at the workplace enables one to relax completely.

Picture Credit : Google