Dengue has been identified as one of the world's most severe and dangerous mosquito-borne viral disease but here is something that tends to go undetected- the transmission is not only mosquito-to-human, it can also spread the other way, human-to-mosquito. This two-way motion makes dengue particularly difficult to manage, particularly in areas where the disease is already endemic.

The burden of dengue in the world has increased at a rapid rate. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) had reported slightly more than half a million cases. The number had ballooned to 5.2 million in 2019. This worsened in 2023, when the number of dengue cases hit an all-time high of more than 6.5 million in 80 nations, resulting in over 7,300 fatalities.

Much of this growth is caused by climate change, urbanization, and the expansion of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito populations into new areas. Rising temperatures and heavy precipitation have increased the areas where mosquitoes breed, and vulnerable health systems—overstretched by the COVID-19 pandemic—have found it difficult to control outbreaks.

Currently, dengue is endemic in over 100 nations, predominantly in South-East Asia, the Americas, and the Western Pacific. It is estimated that Asia alone harbors approximately 70 percent of the global burden of the disease.

How Does Mosquito to Human Transmission Take Place?

Historically, dengue has been conceived as a vector-borne infection, wherein the virus gets transmitted to humans by a bite from infected female Aedes mosquitoes. The virus multiplies in the midgut of the mosquito after feeding on a viremic host before getting transported to the salivary glands of the mosquito. This is called the extrinsic incubation period (EIP), and this usually lasts for 8–12 days under conditions of 25–28°C temperature. The mosquito remains infectious for the rest of its life after it becomes infectious.

This process describes how outbreaks can so rapidly spread: once a local population of mosquitoes becomes infected, the disease can persist for months even in the absence of new imports from elsewhere.

How Human-to-Mosquito Transmission Occur?

Recent research points to yet another crucial piece of the puzzle: humans too can pass the dengue virus back to mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an individual with viremia, the virus in the bloodstream it can itself become infected and keep the cycle going.

Human-to-mosquito transmission can take place before an individual even knows they are ill. Scientists say that the virus is detectable in mosquitoes up to two days prior to the onset of symptoms and up to two days when the fever disappears. This indicates asymptomatic carriers, or those with mild symptoms of illness, can contribute heavily to maintaining outbreaks.

The risk of infection in mosquitoes increases with fever and high viremia in the patient, although intense dengue-specific antibodies seem to lower the risk. The majority of individuals are viremic for 4–5 days but can remain so for as long as 12 days in some instances.

This latent stage of transmission makes dengue controlling particularly challenging. It's not merely about preventing mosquito bites—it's also about comprehending how human beings, even subconsciously, become a link in the chain of transmission.

Identifying Early Warning Symptoms of Dengue among Patients

As per Dr. Anirban Chattopadhyay, Critical Care Specialist with CMRI Kolkata, "Dengue and viral fevers also track the monsoons in Kolkata and other regions of India and extensive and well-reported cases in patients are a routine occurrence. The majority of the viral fevers are mild and self-limited, whereas with dengue the infection could be very swift and severely debilitating if not diagnosed early enough."

The initial signs of dengue can be mistaken for other viral infections—high-grade fever, very severe body pain, headache, nausea, and lethargy. However, dengue tends to add some warning signals like pain in the eyes, rashes on the skin, and reduced platelet levels (thrombocytopenia). Patients might also present with gum bleeding, nosebleeds, or petechiae (small red spots on the skin). These are warning signs that need urgent medical intervention.

Why Early Consultation is Critical?

Prompt diagnosis is best to avoid complications. "Early recognition, and timely treatment remains the best option available currently for lessening the potential morbidity from these illnesses," stresses Dr. Chattopadhyay.

Physicians can diagnose dengue with a routine blood test. Most cases are treated with hydration and supportive care, although delayed treatment heightens the risk of developing severe dengue, such as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome—both of which may be fatal.

Additionally, patients are advised not to self-medicate with medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin, since they can aggravate risk of bleeding. Paracetamol is still the best option for the control of fever.

Monitoring and Home Care

Home management is achievable in mild cases with strict monitoring. Patients should monitor temperature, fluids, urine output, and energy status once daily. Rest, hydration, and prompt review by the doctor are necessary. Yet, acute abdominal pain, protracted vomiting, severe exhaustion, lethargy, or shortness of breath indicate the need for emergency hospitalization.

This surveillance method not only enhances personal outcomes but also decreases the chance of unwittingly infecting the virus back to mosquitoes during the viremic phase.

How To Prevent Dengue Transmission?

Prevention of dengue can be ensured through a two-pronged mechanism: prevention of mosquito bites and reduction of opportunities for spreading the virus. On the control of mosquitoes, practices are done such as removal of stagnant water, application of insect repellents, fitting window screens, and community-level vector control programs.

On the human side, education about human-to-mosquito transmission is crucial. Individuals with dengue infection must safeguard themselves from new mosquito bites when in the viremic phase through the use of bed nets, repellents, and protective apparel. In this manner, they minimize the probability of infecting new mosquitoes, which in turn cuts short community transmission.

Dr. Chattopadhyay also reminds us that prevention on a wider level involves healthy overall well-being. Good hand hygiene, wearing masks in crowded public places, and having good immunity through nutrition all lower one's susceptibility to viral infections in general.

With the finding of human-to-mosquito transmission, we are changed in our understanding of dengue control. It's not merely about destroying breeding sites or covering ourselves up from bites—it's also about recognizing that humans are part of the chain of infection.

As Dr. Chattopadhyay indicates, prompt detection and timely treatment are still our best weapons against dengue. Combining that with preventive measures both at the household and community levels—gives us the best hope of lessening the impact of this quick-spreading disease.

Heart failure has quietly emerged as one of India’s most serious and underestimated health challenges, driven by a rise in hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and delayed diagnosis of heart disease.

Due to a shortage of donor organs and a long waiting period before receiving the right treatment, end-stage heart failure patients in India faced a lot of difficulties a few years ago.

Today, advancements in heart transplant techniques are changing the situation from what was once an untreatable condition to a second chance at life.

Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) shows a significant year-on-year rise in heart transplants, with 253 transplants done in 2024, showcasing improved organ donation awareness, better coordination between hospitals, and stronger transplant networks.

What was once considered the only option is now emerging as a life-saving solution, offering patients not just a second chance but a return to a more meaningful and active life.

Why Are Heart Transplants Needed?

A heart transplant offers hope and gives a second life to patients whose hearts no longer support the body even after the best available medical aid.

Although it is never performed instantly, it becomes necessary whenever conditions of the heart result in end-stage heart failure, where the pumping function of the heart is compromised.

Also read: Harish Rana’s Family Donated His Heart Valves And Corneas After His Death From Passive Euthanasia

When medications and modern technologies cannot supply an adequate amount of blood and oxygen to the organs, patients experience extreme breathlessness, fluid buildup, fatigue, and repeated hospitalizations, making even simple activities like walking, eating, or lying flat exhausting.

As the flow of blood continues to deteriorate, failure is also expected in other vital organs such as the kidneys and liver. It is at this point that the transplantation of the donor heart is considered the only treatment option to ensure that the blood flow is normalized.

How Heart Transplantation Transforms Life?

Heart transplant is not just a surgical replacement of a failing organ, but a complete life restoration for patients with end-stage heart failure.

Its benefits include:

• Normalizes Heart Functioning: A healthy donor heart can immediately restore normal and effective blood flow. This will reduce weakness and fatigue that makes carrying out everyday tasks rather difficult.
• Enhances Survival Rates: Patients diagnosed with end-stage heart failure can only experience the best post-transplant survival outcomes when they undergo the transplant procedure as compared to other medical treatments.
• Enhances Quality of Life: The patients are able to attain independence once again as they are able to walk, sleep, travel, and socialize with their families and friends.
• Prevents Frequent Hospitalization: The successful transplant procedure prevents constant hospitalization, especially in cases with deteriorating heart failure, infections, and organ dysfunction.
• Protects Other Vital Organs: By restoring adequate blood flow, heart transplantation helps reverse damage to the kidneys, liver, and lungs caused by prolonged heart failure
• Permits Return to Normal Roles and Responsibilities: Patients regain their ability to work, take care of others, and carry out their daily responsibilities, which helps their emotional well-being.

Scottish Olympic legend Liz McColgan has warned athletes to wear sun protection during their training hours to protect their skin from “lasting consequences”.

Liz McColgan shared the health warning to athletes after undergoing surgery to remove lesions on her face.

The Olympic silver medalist from Dundee shared post-surgery photographs on the social media platform Instagram and lamented that, as a young runner, she never focused on wearing sun protection.

Avoiding sun cream because she felt it made her "sweat more" was her “ignorance”, said the 61-year-old former athlete.

“As a young athlete, I trained and raced in all weathers. Sun protection was never something I gave much thought to. In fact, I avoided it. I didn’t like the feeling of creams on my skin - I thought they made me sweat more, so I convinced myself I was better off without them. Looking back, that was ignorance,” Liz McColgan said.

“Recently, I had to undergo surgery to remove two lesions on my face. It was a stark reminder that the choices we make early on - especially the ones we dismiss as unimportant - can have lasting consequences,” she added.

Liz McColgan noted that athletes keep all their focus on "performance - mileage, sessions, recovery, nutrition”, but simple things like protecting their skin are often ignored.

“Yet it’s just as much a part of our overall health and wellbeing as any training session,” she said.

Sharing the health message to both young and old athletes, McColgan said, “Take sun protection seriously. Whether you’re training, racing, or even just spending time outdoors, protecting your skin matters.”

McColgan won a silver medal in the same event at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. In 1991, she went on to win the 10,000m World Championships title in Tokyo.

Also read:5 Simple Do's And Don'ts For Healthy Skin

Why Sunscreen Is Essential

Using sunscreen protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes

• skin cancer,
• premature aging,
• painful sunburns.

Should Sunscreen Be Used Indoors Too?

Sunscreen is meant to be part of a daily skincare routine. But most people reach for sunscreen when heading to the beach or stepping out for a long day in the sun.

According to dermatologists, sunlight can still reach you indoors.

Dr Khushboo Jha, Chief Dermatologist Consultant at Metro Hospital, explains that sunlight entering through windows can still affect the skin.

“While standard window glass blocks most UVB rays, which cause sunburn, UVA rays can still pass through. These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to long-term concerns such as premature aging, uneven pigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity,” she said.

These UVA rays are often overlooked because they do not cause immediate redness or burning like UVB rays. However, over time, they can lead to visible signs of skin aging and pigmentation.

Also read: Why Should You Must Apply Sunscreen Inside A Plane?

A Practical Approach To Daily Skincare

Dermatologists suggest viewing sunscreen as a preventive skincare habit rather than a rigid rule.

Dr Jha recommends incorporating sunscreen into your morning routine, particularly if your day includes stepping outdoors or spending time in naturally lit environments.

In simple terms, if daylight reaches your workspace or you plan to go outside later in the day, applying sunscreen in the morning is a small step that can help protect your skin over time.

Many men believe that as long as they feel healthy, active, and free from major illness, their fertility remains intact. While men do not have a sudden fertility cut-off like women, age still plays an important role when it comes to male fertility. Currently, a large number of men wish to start families later in life, often thinking their good health guarantees easy conception and fatherhood. They often neglect the age factor, even though it is linked to hormonal imbalance, stress, and genetic issues. A large number of men are unaware of their fertility health and continue to suffer. However, even in the absence of visible health problems, older men may face unexpected fertility challenges. Dr Madhukar J Shinde, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, PCMC, Pune, answered this for Health and Me.

Read more: The Overlooked Role of Men in IVF: Why Their Silent Strength Is Key to Fertility Success

Why do older men struggle with infertility?

Decline in sperm quality: Various studies have confirmed that as men age, sperm count, movement, and shape can slowly decline. Even if the numbers appear normal, DNA damage in sperm increases with age, which can reduce the chances of successful fertilisation.

1. Hormonal imbalance: It is important to note that testosterone levels naturally decrease over time. Lower testosterone can affect sperm production, sexual function, and overall reproductive performance, even when a man feels physically fit.
2. Some medical conditions tend to take a toll on fertility: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders become more common with age. These may be well-managed and symptom-free, but can still affect sperm health and fertility.
3. Stress and other lifestyle factors can impact fertility: Chronic stress, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, or exposure to pollution can take a toll on sperm quality and lead to fertility issues that can be worrisome for men. Preservatives in a lot of frozen and junk food not only contribute to poor fertility health, but research suggests they may also affect DNA function. Therefore, men should stay vigilant.
4. Genetic issues: Advanced paternal age is associated with a higher risk of genetic mutations in sperm. This can further affect embryo development and increase the risk of miscarriage or certain developmental conditions.

Men must stay in touch with a fertility consultant who can design an appropriate treatment plan. The expert will evaluate them thoroughly and suggest lifestyle modifications such as a well-balanced diet, exercise, stress management through meditation, and medication for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. Awareness helps men take informed steps towards parenthood, even later in life. Certain pre-medications, including antioxidants advised by a fertility consultant, may significantly help in reducing DNA fragmentation, which contributes to poor sperm function. Therefore, men should prioritise their reproductive health, stay informed, and not suffer in silence.