Top 5 infectious diseases: Severity and risks to know

Infectious diseases remain a significant public health challenge in India. An enormous number of Indians still die each year from infectious diseases, despite the fact that fatalities from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise. As per data on the burden of communicable diseases, the overall number of deaths from infectious diseases increased by 86% to 12,598 in 2021 from 6,767 in 2019.

Among the number of infectious diseases prevalent in the country, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Dengue, Malaria, and Pneumonia pose significant challenges to the healthcare system in India.
Tuberculosis
Around 2.55 million cases of tuberculosis were notified last year. This remains the highest number in decades since the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme began. The India TB Report 2024 highlights risk factors like undernourishment, HIV, and diabetes. The data also demonstrates that 95% of individuals identified with the virus received treatment in India, meeting the country's 2023 target. Although screenings have improved, drug-resistant TB remains a concern, with over 63,000 cases identified.


Typhoid
Last year, there was around a 30% rise in the cases of typhoid during the monsoon. The main cause and challenge remain drug-resistant typhoid. Typhoid affects around 45 lakh people annually, causing around 9000 deaths in India. In urban India, typhoid incidence is still high. Doctors suggest particularly children and those with compromised immune systems receive a typhoid vaccine, i.e., a conjugated vaccine (TCV) and a non-conjugated polysaccharide vaccine (ViCPS), to avoid complications.
Dengue
Around 2 lakh cases of dengue were registered till mid-November last year. The cases have been prevalent in major cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Viruses thrive in warmer temperatures. Rising temperatures create an optimal condition for Aedes mosquitoes to survive and proliferate. Severe dengue can result in shock, organ damage, internal bleeding, and even death. Severe dengue is a greater risk for infants and pregnant women. Dengue vaccines are still in trials in India.
Malaria
In 2022, India recorded the most number of malaria cases, i.e., about 66% of 5.2 million in Southeast Asia. Individuals who are more vulnerable to severe illnesses include young children and babies, elderly people, pregnant women, and their unborn children. Malaria can also sometimes be fatal with complications like breathing problems, low blood sugar, anemia, organ failure, and cerebral malaria.
Pneumonia
An infection of the lungs, pneumonia is yet another prevalent infectious disease in India. 'Walking Pneumonia,' a milder form of pneumonia, became a concern last year. Moreover, rising cases of respiratory issues among the natives can keep you at risk of the disease. Depending on the type of pathogen affecting, there are three types of medications available - antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. Sometimes oxygen therapy and IV fluids may also be used in the treatment. Infants and old people above 65 years of age are more at risk of developing this disease.

In conclusion, the burden of infectious diseases in India, including TB, Typhoid, Dengue, Malaria, and Pneumonia, remains substantial, impacting families and communities across the country. While progress has been made in improving access to healthcare and implementing preventive measures, significant challenges persist, highlighting the need for continued efforts in disease surveillance, healthcare infrastructure development, and vaccination programs to mitigate the impact of these diseases on public health.

(Author: Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, Consultant-Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram)