Overview

This is a disease that is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans and affects many people in the world. Found in densely populated countries and continents, like Africa, Asia and the tropics of the Americas, this has severe symptoms. This viral disease is caused by the Chikungunya virus of the Togaviridae. First identified in the United Republic of Tanzania in 1952 and subsequently in other countries like Africa and Asia. Since 2004 the outbreak of CHIKV virus has become more widespread and caused partly due to the viral adaptations allowing the virus to be spread more easily by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The transmission has been noted to persist in countries where there is a large population, but interestingly, the transmission has been interrupted on islands where a high proportion of the population is infected and then immune.

Symptoms

The onset of the disease is usually in 4-8 days and after a bite of an infected mosquitoes, it is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever and then joint pain. This joint pain is severed and lasts for a few days but may prolong for months maybe even years. Other signs are joint swelling, muscle pains, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. These symptoms also overlap with those of dengue and Zika virus and can be misdiagnosed. Most people fully recover from the infection and experience only mild and sometimes the infection even goes unrecognized. However, there have been cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications. The elderly and newborns are more susceptible to the infection and if they have any underlying conditions then they are likely to become severely ill increasing the risk of death.

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis and treatment of the virus may be done by blood sampling and other tests like reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Other tests detect the activity of the antibodies. These can be detected in the first week after illness onset and can be detected for about 2 months. Many clinical measures can be taken to address fever and joint pain. But there is no specific anti-viral drug treatment for the virus.

Preventing Chikungunya

As this disease is caused by the bite of a mosquito, you must reduce the opportunities to let the mosquito breed. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night, and for people who live in risk areas like southeast Asia, Africa and tropical regions of America, many outbreaks happen each year. The best way to prevent it is to protect yourself from the mosquito's bite. You also must get vaccinated before travelling to any of these regions. Use insect repellent, and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. You can also treat your clothes and gear with permethrin. As we all know, they tend to breed in humid places and places where they have access to water, so try to close the rooms that are air-conditioned with screens and windows. Use nets and mosquito repellents if you are sleeping outside. There are many different types of mosquito repellents like paper, liquid etc, and they are quite effective. If your job needs, you to be stationary for long hours or frequently go outside you must take the necessary precautions.

Asthma is often thought of as an "outdoor" problem, with triggers such as smog, pollen, or car exhaust. But for many, the real danger may be sitting right there on the sofa or hiding under the sink.

The chronic condition affects over 260 million people. It is also responsible for over 450,000 deaths each year worldwide.

If you're doing everything right with your inhaler but still feel that tightness in your chest, it’s time to look at silent indoor triggers.

1. The Bedding "Dynasty"

“It’s a bit unsettling, but your mattress is likely home to millions of microscopic dust mites. They love the warmth and humidity of a bed. You won't see them, but you’ll feel them,” Dr. Sandeep Nayar, Principal Director & HOD - Chest & Respiratory Diseases, BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthandMe.

The Fix: Don’t just wash your sheets; use hot water (60°C). If you haven't encased your pillows in allergen-proof covers yet, make that your priority this weekend.

2. Moisture is the Enemy

Dr Nayar said mold isn't always a giant green patch. It hides in the "sweat" behind your wallpaper or the damp corners of a bathroom that doesn't vent well. If a room smells even slightly musty, mold spores are likely in the air.

The Tip: Keep your home's humidity below 50 per cent. A simple dehumidifier can sometimes do more for your lungs than an extra dose of medicine.

3. It’s Not Just the Fur

Many people think "hypoallergenic" pets are the cure. It’s actually a protein in pet saliva and skin flakes (dander) that causes the flare-up.

The Reality: Even if you keep the dog off the bed, dander travels on your clothes. HEPA air purifiers are a must-have if you share your home with a furry friend.

4. The "Clean" Smell Myth

That "fresh lemon" scent or your favorite scented candle? Those are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). To a sensitive lung, those chemicals are irritants, not cleaners.

The Switch: Move toward fragrance-free products. If a cleaning spray makes you cough, your body is telling you everything you need to know.

5. Urban Uninvited Guests

In cities, cockroach droppings are a massive, often ignored asthma trigger. Their proteins mix with household dust and get kicked up every time you walk across the floor.

The Strategy: Seal the cracks in your walls and keep the kitchen bone-dry.

Other asthma triggers include dust mites, pet dander, indoor smoke, and strong cleaning agents that can worsen symptoms over time

How To Prevent Indoor Asthma Triggers

Dr. Manisha Mendiratta, Director & Head - Pulmonology, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, told HealthandMe that the key is prevention through simple, consistent habits. To make a meaningful difference, the expert urged people to

• ensure good ventilation,
• reduce indoor humidity,
• clean soft furnishings regularly,
• avoid aerosol-based products.
• ise air purifiers,
• keep windows open when possible,
• creating a smoke-free space.

“Most importantly, patients should identify their personal triggers and act early, because managing their indoor environment is just as critical as managing their medication,” added Dr. Mendiratta.

Cancer is a complex disease, and its diagnosis often involves multiple tests, procedures, and high costs. Patients frequently undergo several blood draws and investigations before a clear result is reached.

Now, a revolutionary new low-cost test has shown promise in detecting multiple cancers using just a single blood sample.

Beyond cancer detection, the test may also help identify various liver conditions and organ abnormalities by analyzing DNA fragments circulating in the bloodstream.

The test, developed by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, is known as MethylScan. The novel test works by analyzing cell-free DNA, tiny fragments of genetic material released into the blood when cells die.

In early tests, MethylScan detected about 63 per cent of cancers across all stages and roughly 55 per cent of early-stage cancers.

The test, described in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could offer a powerful and more affordable approach to early disease detection and comprehensive health monitoring.

“Early detection is crucial,” said Dr. Jasmine Zhou, Professor of Pathology at UCLA Health.

“Survival rates are far higher when cancers are caught before they spread. If you detect cancer at stage one, outcomes are dramatically better than at stage four,” Dr Zhou added.

How Does The New Cancer Test Work?

MethylScan studies DNA methylation—chemical tags on DNA that reflect tissue health and can change when disease develops.

Since most circulating DNA comes from healthy cells, advanced machine learning is used to identify subtle disease signals.

The New Cancer Test Is A Health Radar

In the study, MethylScan analyzed blood samples from 1,061 people, including patients with liver, lung, ovarian, and stomach cancers.

For multi-cancer detection, the test achieved a high level of overall accuracy. At a specificity of 98 per cent, meaning few false positives, it detected about 63 per cent of cancers across all stages and roughly 55 per cent of early-stage cancers.

The test also performed well in liver cancer surveillance among high-risk individuals, including those with liver cirrhosis or HBV. It detected nearly 80 per cent of cases at a specificity of just over 90 per cent, meaning a less than 10 per cent false positive rate.

The blood test could also distinguish between different types of liver disease, including viral hepatitis and metabolic-associated liver disease. It correctly classified about 85 per cent of patients, suggesting blood-based DNA testing could reduce the need for invasive liver biopsies.

In addition, the researchers noted that MethylScan can work like a health radar for the body. By reading DNA signals in the blood, it can tell when specific organs, such as the liver or lungs, are under stress or damaged, even without knowing the disease in advance.

“This study demonstrates that blood-based methylation profiling can deliver clinically meaningful information across multiple diseases,” said Zhou. “It’s an exciting advancement that brings us closer to realizing the dream of a single assay for universal disease detection.”

Most people assume dandruff simply means white flakes. In clinical practice, however, we commonly see two different patterns—oily dandruff and dry dandruff. Both can cause flaking and itching, but the scalp environment, type of flakes, and recurrence pattern can differ significantly. Understanding which type you have helps in choosing the right scalp care. Using random shampoos without understanding your scalp often provides only temporary relief, and the flakes keep returning.

Dr Ankur Sarin, Dermatologist at Sarin Wellness and Co-founder, sarinskin.com, in an interview with Health and Me, explained the differences and management approaches.

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff is a common scalp condition linked to an imbalance involving a naturally occurring yeast called Malassezia. This organism lives on most human scalps and feeds on sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp.

In some individuals, the scalp becomes sensitive to the by-products produced when this yeast breaks down sebum. This irritation can lead to inflammation and faster turnover of skin cells.

Normally, scalp skin sheds invisibly. However, when cell turnover speeds up, these cells accumulate and appear as visible flakes. Mild itching, irritation, and redness can also occur. The amount of oil present on the scalp often influences how dandruff appears, which is why the condition can show up as either oily or dry flaking.

Oily Dandruff: When Excess Oil Drives the Flaking

What It Looks Like: Oily dandruff usually appears as yellowish or off-white flakes that look slightly sticky or clumped together. These flakes often stick to the scalp or nails rather than falling freely on clothing.

What It Feels Like: The scalp may feel greasy within one or two days after washing. Itching is usually persistent but moderate. Some people may also notice mild redness.

What’s Happening on the Scalp

Excess sebum creates a favourable environment for Malassezia yeast to grow more actively. Factors that can worsen oily dandruff include:

1. Humid weather
2. Sweating
3. Helmet use
4. Heavy styling products
5. Infrequent scalp cleansing

Simply washing more often or using cosmetic shampoos may remove surface oil temporarily, but they do not control yeast growth, so flakes tend to return quickly.

Dry Dandruff: Fine Flakes That Fall Like Snow

1. What It Looks Like: Dry dandruff appears as fine, powdery white flakes that easily fall onto the shoulders, especially visible on dark clothes.
2. What It Feels Like: The scalp may feel slightly tight or dry. Itching is usually mild to moderate rather than intense.

What’s Happening on the Scalp

Dry dandruff is often confused with simple scalp dryness caused by cold weather, harsh shampoos, or over-washing. However, recurrent fine flaking is still frequently associated with Malassezia-related irritation, even if the scalp does not feel very oily. This means that simply increasing oiling or switching to moisturising shampoos may improve comfort but may not completely resolve the flaking.

Why Each Type Needs Slightly Different Care

The key difference between oily and dry dandruff lies in scalp oil levels and flake texture.

1. Oily dandruff requires controlling excess oil along with antifungal action.
2. Dry dandruff requires maintaining scalp balance without excessive stripping while still addressing yeast activity.

Many regular shampoos simply cleanse the hair. They may wash away flakes temporarily but do not treat the underlying microbial imbalance. For better control, it helps to look for clinically studied antifungal ingredients. One such ingredient is piroctone olamine, which helps reduce the growth of dandruff-associated yeast.

Benefits of Piroctone Olamine in Scalp Care

1. Effective antifungal activity
2. Gentle on the scalp barrier
3. Suitable for regular use
4. Works across different climates and scalp types

Consistent use helps maintain scalp balance and reduce recurrence.

How to Identify Your Dandruff Type

A few simple observations can help:

1. Does your scalp become greasy quickly after washing?
2. Are the flakes sticky and clumped?
3. Or are they fine and powdery?
4. Do flakes persist even when you moisturise the scalp?

A simple home check is to press a small strip of butter paper on the scalp parting. If it quickly shows oil marks, your scalp may lean towards the oily side.

The Takeaway

Checking the ingredient list and using shampoos with proven antifungal ingredients regularly can help maintain long-term scalp health. Consistency matters — because dandruff is a recurring condition that needs ongoing scalp care, not a one-time fix.