6 Communicable Diseases in India to Watch Out For

Top 6 Communicable Diseases in India 

Communicable diseases spread through direct physical contact with the infected person, airborne virus, contact with infected body fluids, or insect or animal bites. Infection from a communicable disease may cause mild to severe effects and the patient can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Here are some of the most common communicable diseases in India-

1. COVID-19 

COVID-19 or the novel coronavirus disease is the recently discovered airborne disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A COVID-19 infected person will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and can recover with proper rest and medication. The coronavirus mainly spreads through droplets floating in the air when an infected person exhales, sneezes, or coughs.

India is one of the worst-affected COVID-19 nations in the world, with more than 4.3 crores confirmed cases. Besides, the hospitalization expenses to cure this disease can get very high in case of comorbidity. So, it is advisable to buy a health insurance plan that covers COVID-19 treatment costs and offers a supportive hand during these tough times.

2. Tuberculosis 

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is an airborne disease transmitted by droplet nuclei of 1-5 microns in diameter. A person having pulmonary or laryngeal TB bacteria when sneezes, coughs, talks, or laughs can transmit it in the air and infect the other person. TB disease infects the lungs or throat of an individual.

If not diagnosed on time, the TB bacteria can move through the blood to other parts of the body, like the spine, kidney, and brain. The overall estimated cost for the treatment of this disease is minimal under the DOTS program but goes on for a long time. Thus, it can create a financial burden on the patient and his/her family. 

3. Hepatitis 

Hepatitis is an acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) communicable infection that can cause inflammation of the liver. Although Hepatitis B, C, A and D spread through blood transfusion from an infected person, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. The primary symptoms of Hepatitis are abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, joint pain, weakness, and fatigue.

The best treatment for any type of Hepatitis is anti-viral therapy, which is a costly affair. Therefore, you must have a health insurance plan to cover the medical expenses incurred on the treatment of this disease.

4. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the most powerful and easily transmitted diseases in the world. It affects and destroys CD4 cells in the human body that weakens the immune system.

HIV is a sexually transmitted virus that can also be transferred from an infected mother to child during pregnancy. It is also transmitted through blood transfusion, breastfeeding, and sharing infected razors & injections.

HIV treatment involves a type of medication known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is expensive. Thus, health insurance for HIV is recommended to avail coverage for the treatment cost.

5. Malaria 

Malaria is one of the most common and deadly communicable diseases caused by a plasmodium parasite. This parasite is transmitted from an infected mosquito bite into a healthy human body. The primary symptom of this disease is a very high fever and shaking chills.

Malaria is a common disease among children below 5 years of age. Although this disease can be treated with prescribed drugs by your doctor, hospitalization may be required in severe cases. Therefore, having health insurance for malaria is a must. 

6. Typhoid 

Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body and affect all the major organs of the body. It is also known as enteric fever, which occurs through ingestion of food & water, or from the excreta of an infected person.

However, in the absence of the right treatment can be fatal. Therefore, you must avail the treatment on time and also cover yourself under a health insurance policy. 

Why Should You Buy Health Insurance for Communicable Diseases?

In India, treating communicable diseases like malaria, HIV, or COVID-19 involves huge healthcare costs like hospitalization expenses, day care expenses, ambulance charges, etc. Having the right health insurance policy will ensure that these medical bills are paid by the insurance company, thereby, reducing your financial stress.

But before buying any type of health plan, you must know its premium, scope of coverage, sub-limits and exclusions. You must also check the waiting period for a communicable disease as the waiting period for these diseases may vary as per the health insurance plan. For example, malaria may be covered after a waiting period of 30 days while COVID-19 may be covered after a 15-day waiting period.

Hence, it becomes important to check the terms and conditions of a health plan properly before buying. Moreover, you must compare multiple plans online and buy the best health insurance policy as per your needs on websites like Policybazaar.com. You can also avail of various discounts at the time of buying a health insurance policy like an online discount, loyalty discount, family discount, etc.

Conclusion

There are various communicable diseases in India and some of them can seriously impact your health. Also, curing such diseases can be an expensive affair. But having a suitable health insurance plan will prepare you against any sudden and unwanted medical expenses. Also, before buying any plan, search it online, choose the right sum insured, pay the required premium, to get financial protection against any unwanted illness.