As an unexpected wave of heat hits the UK, many people have been concerned regarding not just heat-illnesses, but also other issues that arise mostly in the summer season.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a public warning against a small, almost invisible threat that could send you to the hospital. Taking simple steps can help you avoid these bugs that could leave you with flu-like symptoms lasting for weeks.

The Hidden Danger: Ticks

Ticks are small bugs often found in woods, grassy areas, and moorlands. The reason why the volume of these bugs is more prevalent in these grassy areas is because it is easier to find and feed off other creatures there. These bugs are known to spread Lyme disease, a bacterial infection. You get it when a tick bites you and feeds on your blood, which can lead to flu-like symptoms. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, though. It's usually easier to treat if caught early, but if it goes unnoticed, problems can worsen, causing joint pain, nerve issues, and memory problems.

Lyme Disease Treatment

The chances of getting sick are fairly low, as not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. If you've been bitten, keep a close eye on the bite area for symptoms, especially the well-known "bullseye" rash. This rash can appear up to three months after a bite, but usually shows up within one to four weeks.

If a doctor thinks you might have Lyme disease, they'll prescribe antibiotics. The type you get depends on your symptoms, and you might need to take them for up to 28 days. It's very important to finish the entire course, even if you start feeling better. For severe symptoms, you might be sent to a hospital specialist to receive antibiotics directly into a vein.

A small number of people who are treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms like tiredness, aches, and low energy for years. These symptoms are often compared to conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

What to Do If You're Bitten

Tick bites might not hurt at first because ticks put a numbing substance into your skin, so you might not even notice you've been bitten. If you do find a tick, it's important to take it out the right way: use fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick-removal tool, grasp the tick as close to your skin as you can, and pull it slowly upwards without squeezing it. Never try to pull it out with your fingers, as this can leave part of the tick in your skin and cause an infection. After removing the tick, clean the bite area with antiseptic or soap and water.

Simple Prevention Tips

Health officials recently shared advice on how to protect yourself from these tiny parasites. They suggest simple actions are best to prevent tick bites:

• Regular checks are your best defense. While you're outside, brush off any ticks you spot right away.
• Do another check when you get home. Focus on exposed skin and any clothes where these bugs might be clinging.
• Don't forget to check children and pets, as they can't check themselves.
• Use an insect repellent that specifically prevents ticks.
• Wear long sleeves and long trousers when outdoors to reduce direct skin contact.
• When possible, stick to clearly marked paths and avoid brushing against plants where ticks might be hiding.

One of the many reasons why we learn history is because there is a lot to learn and re-learn from it. That also includes learning about historical diseases that plagued millions at the time, like the bubonic plague. However, some of the old names, diseases that terrorized many people in the past, taking many lives, have been making news headlines. A few of the most recent ones are scarlet fever, syphilis, TB as well as many more.

The recent rise in old viruses and diseases have caused many people to question what has changed.

Diseases That Have Recently Become More Prevalent

Here is a list of diseases and what you need to know about them according to the UK Health Security Agency health blog.

Typhoid

Typhoid was extremely common in the Victorian era, even affecting royalty, and it remains a problem in areas with poor sanitation globally. Caused by bacteria spread through contaminated food or water, it's estimated that 1 in 5 people with untreated typhoid worldwide die. In the UK, improved access to clean water, wholesome food, and good hygiene have drastically reduced its spread, with around 500 cases reported annually, mostly linked to international travel. It's now rarely fatal in the UK, often preventable by vaccine for travelers, and treatable with antibiotics.

Scarlet Fever

In 2018, England and Wales saw over 30,000 cases of scarlet fever, the highest since 1960, though numbers had declined significantly over the previous century due to better living conditions and antibiotics. This highly contagious childhood illness is usually mild and easily treated with antibiotics, which also reduces the risk of complications and spread. While a 1914 epidemic recorded 165,000 cases and 2,800 deaths, in 2014, fewer than 5% of patients were hospitalized, with no deaths, highlighting its much less severe consequences today. Investigations into recent case increases are ongoing.

Tuberculosis (TB)

At the start of the 19th century, TB killed at least 1 in seven people in England. Improvements like milk pasteurization (which significantly reduced TB from contaminated milk) combined with faster diagnoses and effective antibiotics became central to TB control. Today, less than 6% of those with TB in the UK die from it, with fewer than 4,672 cases reported in 2018—the lowest numbers ever. This decline is a major public health success. However, TB remains the top infectious killer globally, especially in poorer communities, emphasizing the need for continued efforts.

Cholera

Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness, can cause fatal dehydration within hours. England's last major outbreaks between 1832 and 1866 resulted in thousands of deaths. It is now very rare in the UK, with cases typically linked to international travel. A key public health breakthrough in the Victorian era was identifying cholera as waterborne, leading to major projects that provided clean water and sewage systems. While still a global concern with ongoing outbreaks in other parts of the world, cholera is easily avoided when traveling by using boiled or bottled water and practicing good hand hygiene.

Whooping Cough

Before routine immunization in the 1950s, whooping cough affected tens of thousands. Vaccination drastically reduced cases, though the infection hasn't disappeared and can peak every 3-4 years. Despite vaccine success, nearly 10,000 cases were confirmed in 2012, with increases also seen in other countries. These rises may be due to factors like better testing and changes in vaccine type. A vaccine program for pregnant women, introduced in response to the 2012 outbreak, has been highly effective in protecting babies until they receive their own vaccinations, making it crucial for expectant mothers to get vaccinated.

Rickets

Rickets, a deficiency disease caused by a lack of calcium or vitamin D, was widespread in poorer areas of Great Britain during the Victorian era. It wasn't until the early 1900s that researchers understood the critical role of sunlight and vitamin D in bone development. While most people get enough vitamin D from sunshine and diet in warmer months, supplements are recommended during autumn and winter, especially for those with limited sun exposure, darker skin, or for babies.

Why Are Some Old Diseases Making A Comeback?

According to 2021 study published in the Lancet journal, few of the many reasons why diseases are reappearing is because sometimes, Sometimes, the germs themselves change, becoming easier to spread or more harmful. For instance, scarlet fever, once thought almost gone, has seen a global rise, including a mysterious spike in England. This might be because the bacteria causing it picked up new genes from viruses, creating "supercharged" versions that spread more easily. Also, germs are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, which means treatments that used to work are no longer as effective, allowing some diseases to re-emerge.

Is COVID-19 A Catalyst?

The study points out that human behavior is a major factor. More people living in crowded conditions and moving around (like through migration) can create new opportunities for diseases to spread. When public health systems and vaccination efforts break down, often due to conflicts, wars, or even global pandemics like COVID-19, diseases like measles can surge.

Changes to the environment caused by human activity can also upset the balance between people, animals, and germs, allowing old diseases to reappear or new ones to emerge. For example, some research suggests that climate change forced bats to move, potentially leading to new interactions between bats and viruses, and even affecting how viruses evolve and spread to other animals, like the virus that causes COVID-19.

The studies and historical significance of these diseases show that these diseases never really left. The only differences is that, now these diseases are not as fatal. These illnesses are largely preventable through good hygiene, vaccination, or proper nutrition. It remains crucial for scientists and healthcare professionals to continue investigating, managing, and informing the public about preventing diseases that could seriously affect health and well-being.

India’s growing population, coupled with rising life expectancy and lifestyle-related factors, is driving a steady increase in joint-related orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis and degenerative joint disease. As a result, the demand for joint replacement surgeries has surged significantly. Today, total knee replacements alone have surged from approximately 100,000 five years ago to nearly 250,000 annually, reflecting both rising incidence and growing awareness of surgical solutions.

Robotic-assisted joint replacement is currently the most advanced and accurate form of surgery available. It enhances surgical precision, ensures better implant alignment, minimizes tissue damage, and allows for faster patient recovery. These clinical benefits are translating into measurable improvements in patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Yet, despite its many advantages, access to robotic-assisted joint replacement is still evolving, particularly when it comes to insurance coverage. While conventional joint replacement procedures are widely supported by most health insurance plans, coverage for robotic-assisted variants is still gaining traction. As the healthcare ecosystem adapts to newer technologies, there is an opportunity for insurers and providers to work together to bridge this gap, ensuring that patients who could benefit from these advanced, minimally invasive procedures are able to access them more easily.

India is witnessing a sharp uptick in the adoption of robotic surgery, with nearly 12,000 robotic- assisted procedures performed in 2022. While this marks encouraging progress, it still represents only a small fraction of the potential demand. By comparison, the United States conducted approximately 876,000 robotic surgeries in 2020 3 and has over 5,500 surgical robots installed for a population of around 330 million 4 . Given India’s population of over 1.4 billion and the growing burden of joint-related conditions, the need for wider deployment of robotic technology is clear. There is a significant opportunity and an urgent imperative to scale infrastructure, surgeon training, and insurance coverage to meet this rising demand and ensure equitable access to advanced care.

For patients, the advantages of robotic-assisted joint replacement surgeries are compelling and directly impact their journey to recovery and improved quality of life:

• Less tissue damage: reduced post-operative pain and a more comfortable recovery experience for the patient.
• Increased implant placement accuracy, reducing complications: Precision in implant placement minimizes the risk of complications, potentially preventing the need for revision surgeries and ensuring a longer-lasting solution for the patient.
• Improved mobility and quality of life in the immediate post-operative phase: Patients often experience quicker restoration of movement and a faster return to daily activities
• Shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery: less time away from home and work, reducing the financial and emotional burden on patients and their families.

These benefits are raising patient and healthcare provider awareness and demand, particularly for older people and those with conditions like arthritis. The deployment of robotic technology is expanding beyond renowned private hospitals to community health centres and smaller communities as its cost becomes more affordable, democratizing access to advanced medical care.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has acknowledged robotic-assisted surgeries under its “Modern Treatment Techniques” category, a positive step toward broader integration. However, some variability in coverage still exists, with certain policies including sublimits or caps that may unintentionally limit patient access to these advanced procedures. As awareness and clinical evidence continue to grow, there is an opportunity for insurers to revisit these norms in partnership with healthcare providers to better align coverage with evolving standards of care.

By fostering dialogue and collaboration between insurers, regulators, and medical professionals, there is a shared opportunity to re-evaluate coverage policies in light of evolving clinical evidence and patient needs. Expanding coverage for robotic-assisted procedures is not just about technological advancement - it’s about enabling more patients to benefit from faster recovery, fewer complications, and improved quality of life.

Together, we can ensure that no patient is left behind due to coverage limitations. By aligning on the shared goal of improved outcomes, we can unlock the full potential of robotic-assisted joint replacement and contribute to a healthier, more resilient India.

Written by Dr. Jayant Arora – Senior Director & Unit Head, Orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon

As the monsoon sets in with its comforting rains and cooler temperatures, it also brings along a host of health challenges—especially for those managing chronic conditions like diabetes. The high humidity and increased risk of infections during this season can throw blood sugar levels off track. This makes it essential for people with diabetes to adopt a well-rounded, preventive approach that goes beyond just medication.

The Monsoon Effect on Diabetic Health

The rainy season raises the likelihood of infections—ranging from seasonal flu to waterborne diseases—that can be more severe for individuals with diabetes.

A compromised immune system, often seen in those with poorly managed diabetes, means the body finds it harder to recover from even mild illnesses. This is why monsoon care calls for extra attention to immunity, hygiene, and consistent glucose management.

Immunity Begins in the Kitchen

Diet plays a key role in preventing seasonal infections and managing blood sugar. While fried snacks and street food can be hard to resist during rainy weather, they come with the risk of contamination and erratic blood sugar spikes.

Instead, stick to freshly cooked meals at home. Include immune-boosting ingredients like garlic, turmeric, ginger, and vitamin C-rich fruits such as oranges and guavas. Avoid raw salads and ensure that all vegetables are washed thoroughly and cooked properly.

Keep a Close Watch on Glucose Levels

Changes in routine, diet, and physical activity are common during the monsoon and can lead to sudden fluctuations in blood sugar. Even weather itself—specifically high humidity and temperature drops—can affect insulin absorption and sensitivity.

That’s where technology comes in. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices allow users to track their glucose levels in real-time, eliminating the need for frequent finger pricks. These wearables are especially handy when stepping out to a clinic may not be convenient or safe due to the weather.

Foot Care is Non-Negotiable

Wet feet are breeding grounds for fungal infections, something people with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to. Foot injuries can also take longer to heal, increasing the risk of complications.

Always dry your feet thoroughly after returning indoors, wear moisture-wicking socks, and avoid walking barefoot or in wet shoes. Invest in closed, comfortable footwear that protects your feet from puddles and muddy surfaces.

Don’t Let Fitness Slide

Rainy days often disrupt outdoor exercise routines. But staying active is critical for blood sugar control.

Adapt your workout by moving it indoors—simple home-based exercises, yoga, or even a walk around your living space can help keep glucose levels stable. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity daily to support metabolic health.

Hydration is Key

Many people underestimate how easy it is to get dehydrated during the monsoon. High humidity can suppress thirst, but dehydration can directly impact glucose levels.

Make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water. Herbal teas and infused waters not only add flavor but also help in digestion and hydration.

Stay Alert to Warning Signs

The risk of both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can increase during the rainy season. It’s important to stay vigilant and recognize any symptoms of fluctuating sugar levels early—such as fatigue, dizziness, or confusion—and take corrective steps immediately. Keeping emergency snacks and medications within easy reach is a good habit to maintain.