New Delhi, Jul 21 (IANS): There is a 25 percent increase in the number of viral cases in the capital this monsoon, says the Indian Medical Association (IMA) while advising people to keep their surroundings clean, drink fresh juices and wash their hands regularly.
"The number of viral cases has gone up by 25 percent and these are a result of parasites, bacteria and viruses which find the monsoon temperature and humidity perfect for breeding," Narendra Saini, president of the IMA, told IANS.
"They play a major role in increasing cases of jaundice and typhoid every season," he added.
According to doctors, in order to keep such waterborne diseases at bay, simple measures like keeping your surroundings clean and washing hands regularly can work wonders.
"People should keep their surroundings clean to prevent mosquito breeding, which is of utmost importance," said R.D. Sharma, a Delhi-based physician.
"Consuming more liquids like fresh juice and lemonade further strengthens metabolism," he added.
Doctors also advised avoiding roadside food and washing fruits and vegetables properly before eating.
Pharmaceutical shops across the city are registering a massive increase of 30-50 percent in the sales of hand sanitisers, tissue papers and mosquito repellants.
"We are selling almost double the number of sanitisers as compared to last month and same is the case with mosquito repellant sprays. Face and hand tissues are also selling in good numbers," said Charanjeet Chowdhari, owner of a chemist shop in south Delhi's Green Park Extension.
Other chemists agree. Anand Singhal, the owner of Asoka's departmental store in west Delhi's Patel Nagar, said: "Sales have definitely increased and it's good that people are taking precaution instead of falling ill and buying medicines."
Delhi-based physician Suniti Sharma said people should take precautions and contact a doctor at the first sign of body ache, fever or cold and cough.
"There is no point in waiting till the situation gets bad. One should take immediate precautionary steps," added Sharma.