As seasonal infections rise during the monsoon months, experts at a public awareness webinar organised by Mahajan Imaging & Labs urged people not to ignore persistent fever or rely on self-medication, stating that early laboratory testing is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
The webinar, titled ‘Seasonal Infections, Rain-related Diseases, Prevention & Awareness’, brought together experts to discuss the burden of monsoon-related illnesses, including dengue, malaria, chikungunya, typhoid, hepatitis A and E, leptospirosis, influenza and acute gastrointestinal infections. The discussions also highlighted the role of laboratory diagnostics in supporting early and accurate detection to improve patient outcomes.
The discussions were held against the backdrop of a recurring rise in seasonal infections during the rainy months. According to Mahajan Imaging & Labs, the laboratory conducted 490, 475 and 404 tests for seasonal infectious diseases, including dengue, malaria, chikungunya, hepatitis A, leptospirosis and typhoid, between May and July 2025. The number of tests increased to 937 in August and reached 1,128 in September. Although testing volumes declined to 597 in October and 413 in November, they remained elevated, indicating that seasonal infections continued beyond the peak monsoon period. The trend has continued in 2026, with the laboratory conducting 2,107 tests for these infections between January and June.
According to Mahajan Imaging & Labs, the trend reflects the seasonal increase in infectious diseases across India during the monsoon, when heavy rainfall, waterlogging, poor sanitation, contaminated food and drinking water, and mosquito breeding contribute to disease transmission. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in its Syndromic Surveillance of Infectious Diseases guidance, has identified dengue, malaria, typhoid, leptospirosis, chikungunya and influenza among the priority causes of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness (AUFI) requiring timely laboratory investigation. As many of these infections present with overlapping symptoms such as fever, body aches, cough and diarrhoea, experts at the webinar stated that early laboratory testing is necessary to distinguish between diseases, support treatment decisions and prevent complications.
Commenting on this, Dr Shelly Mahajan, Lab Director, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said, “One of the biggest challenges during the monsoon is that several infections present with nearly identical symptoms in their early stages. A fever may be caused by a viral infection, dengue, malaria, typhoid or hepatitis, but each requires a different clinical approach. Relying on symptoms alone or starting medication without proper evaluation can delay diagnosis and increase the risk of complications. Advances in pathology, microbiology and molecular diagnostics now enable clinicians to identify infections earlier and with greater accuracy, helping patients receive the right treatment at the right time while also reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. Early diagnosis also strengthens disease surveillance and helps limit the spread of infections during seasonal outbreaks.”
Dr Rajesh Kumar, Director, Internal Medicine, Paras Health Gurugram, said, “Many patients seek medical care only after trying home remedies or over-the-counter medicines for several days. By then, the underlying infection may have already progressed, increasing the risk of serious complications. Persistent fever lasting more than two days, especially when accompanied by severe weakness, persistent vomiting, bleeding, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness, should never be ignored. Early clinical evaluation, supported by appropriate laboratory investigations, remains the safest and most effective approach to treatment.”
During the webinar, experts discussed how advances in pathology, microbiology and molecular diagnostics have changed the diagnosis of seasonal infections by enabling faster and more accurate identification of pathogens. Participants also received guidance on maintaining food and water hygiene, preventing mosquito breeding, practising regular handwashing, recognising early warning signs of seasonal illnesses and understanding when laboratory investigations are required. The discussions also highlighted how diagnostics support treatment decisions, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and contribute to public health surveillance.
Dr Niraj Kumar, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, ShardaCare Healthcity, said, “One of the biggest challenges during the monsoon is that many people mistake every fever for a simple viral illness or start antibiotics without knowing the actual cause. In reality, dengue, malaria, typhoid, viral hepatitis and several other infections often begin with similar symptoms but require completely different treatment approaches. A fever that persists despite adequate hydration and paracetamol, or is accompanied by vomiting, severe weakness, jaundice, bleeding or breathing difficulty, should never be ignored. Early clinical assessment supported by appropriate laboratory investigations helps identify the exact infection before complications develop, allowing timely treatment while avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use. Equally important is prevention. Simple measures such as maintaining hand hygiene, preventing mosquito breeding around homes, drinking safe water and correcting common misconceptions, such as mosquitoes breeding only in dirty water or every fever requiring antibiotics, can significantly reduce the burden of seasonal infections.”