The South-West Monsoon has not only brought respite to the people of Coimbatore, who have been reeling under scorching summer, but also bag of woes to the slum dwellers of the city.

With the number of dengue cases touching 70, the administration is taking all necessary steps to prevent it from spreading. Most of them are being treated at Government Hospital.

Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito that spreads dengue, chikengunya, zika virus, attacks humans only during day time.

Dengue can be cured if detected at early stages itself. High fever, vomiting, bleeding, body pain, joint pain, irritation in the eyes are the symptoms. “We conduct three tests – NSI Antigen, IGM Antibodies and IGG Antibodies.

If the results are positive, we begin the treatment immediately,” says Dr. Soundaravel, Resident Medical Officer of CMCH.

“We handle 2-3 patients affected by dengue daily. They are kept in separate wards. It takes one week for a person to get alright completely,” he added.

However, there are few people who prefer home remedies and consume ‘Nilavembu Kashayam’ to get alright. They follow a strict diet chart which includes bland food.