Dengue fever is a viral disease that is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is a significant public health concern in Bangladesh from June to August. However, in some years, it lasted up to December. The symptoms of dengue can range from mild to severe and can include high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, nausea, and vomiting. Let's take a look at the Dengue tests. What is a Dengue Test? A Dengue test refers to a diagnostic procedure performed to determine the presence of the dengue virus or antibodies against the virus in an individual's blood sample. These tests play a crucial role in identifying and confirming dengue infection. Early detection of dengue is crucial for effective management and prevention of severe complications. Several methods are available to detect dengue infection. The most commonly used diagnostic tests in Bangladesh include Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and NS1 antigen test. PCR PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Dengue test is a molecular diagnostic test used to detect the presence of the dengue virus in a person's blood sample. This test is highly sensitive and specific, allowing for the accurate identification of the dengue virus and its serotypes. Read more: Food, Drinks during Dengue: What to consume, what to avoid The PCR Dengue test works by amplifying and detecting the viral genetic material, specifically the viral RNA, present in the blood sample. The test utilizes specific primers that target regions of the dengue virus genome. Through a series of temperature cycles, the PCR machine amplifies the targeted viral RNA, making it detectable. However, the PCR dengue test is particularly useful during the early stages of infection when the virus is actively replicating in the body. It can detect the virus within seven days of symptom onset, providing a rapid diagnosis. This early detection is crucial for appropriate medical intervention, monitoring, and implementation of preventive measures. The test is recommended when an individual presents with symptoms consistent with dengue fever, such as high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, and rash. Since these symptoms can also be associated with other viral infections, the PCR Dengue test helps confirm whether dengue is the cause. However, the PCR test is more costly than the NS1 test. Hence, Bangladeshi hospitals use the NS1 antigen test. Read more: Dengue vs. Severe Dengue: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention NS1 The NS1 Dengue test is a diagnostic test used to detect the presence of the dengue virus in the blood. NS1 stands for "nonstructural protein 1," which is a protein produced by the dengue virus during infection. The test detects the presence of this protein, indicating an active dengue infection.

As the world recovers from the devastating blow of Covid 19, another virus is shaping up to be a looming threat. We are talking about Adenovirus of the family Adenoviridae. This virus has been on the rise in India, especially in West Bengal. This life-threatening virus causes prolonged flu-like illness in children. As the cases rise, now is a better time than ever to understand the symptoms, causes, preventions and treatments of Adenovirus.  What is Adenovirus?  Adenovirus belongs to the wider Adenoviridae family. The virus itself is relatively small compared to its other family branches. What’s surprising here is that Adenovirus has over 50 different types of mutations which affect the human body, especially children in different ways.  Adenoviruses are non-enveloped with double-stranded DNA that acts as their genetic material. The non-enveloped structure helps them to survive outside a host body for an extended period.  Read More: Happiness Hormone: Ways to Boost Dopamine The most common illness caused by Adenovirus includes respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal infections. Sometimes the effect of Adenovirus can get compounded. A person with a weakened immune system like an HIV AIDS patient or someone undergoing chemotherapy might fall severely ill due to Adenovirus.  How Does Adenovirus Transmit?  Adenoviruses are highly contagious and can use several different means of contamination. It spreads from one person to another through bodily fluids like urine, saliva, and blood. The infected person needs to be quarantined as soon as they show symptoms of prolonged flu combined with a weakened immune system. There are several ways through which Adenovirus can get into a healthy person.  - If a carrier of Adenovirus sneezes or coughs in front of a healthy person, they might get infected with respiratory droplets.  - If a healthy person comes in contact with any surface previously used or touched by the contaminated person. - If there is any form of physical contact. Especially around the eyes, mouth, or nose.  - Sexual contact with an infected person can also cause Adenovirus to spread. It often leads to secondary genital infections.  - Using the same utensils as used by the infected person.  Read More: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention Symptoms of Adenovirus  The symptoms of Adenovirus differ from variant to variant. Depending on the variant a person contracts, they might notice different symptoms which are completely unrelated to one another. Sometimes the symptoms can even get compounded.  The general symptoms include.  - Cough, fever, runny nose, and chills. These are signs of bronchitis-related Adenovirus infection.  - A sore throat, stuffy nose, and swollen glands might be indicators of respiratory Adenovirus infection.  - Barking cough, trouble, and noise while breathing - Otitis media  - Pneumonia  - Diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and stomach pain  - Meningitis - Infection of the urinary tract - Swelling around the eye  Read More: 11 Home Remedies for Cough in Kids Among these symptoms, persistent fever and swollen eyes are serious signs of aggravated Adenovirus infection in children. Contact the pediatrician as soon as possible in such cases.  How to Diagnose Adenovirus? Adenovirus infection can be diagnosed in several ways. All of these involve lab tests and some of which are pretty common due to the similar diagnostic procedure to Covid 19.  Viral culture Viral culture is the traditional way of detecting the presence of viruses in body fluids. A sample of the patient's bodily fluid, such as blood, urine, or respiratory secretions, can be collected and checked whether there is the presence of Adenovirus in the body.  Read More: Bonnell Vs Pocket Spring Mattress: Which is the Best for Good Sleep?

According to biological science, the aging process occurs as an impact of the aggregation of a huge variety of molecular and cellular damage over time. It leads to a subtle decrease in physical and mental capacity. Moreover, the process of aging grows the risk of disease and ultimately leads to death. The process of aging can't be stopped but delayed. For instance, certain foods have natural anti-aging nutrients. Therefore, foods can greatly affect the fitness, appearance, quality of life, and risk of disease in human beings. Check here 14 anti-aging foods that can help you stay young.  What are the benefits of an anti-aging diet? Anti-aging foods of course have a wide range of health benefits. Nutritious foods are full of vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, and fiber that a human body needs to perform basic functions. Without getting enough of them, you may notice the signs of aging. A few of the benefits you can expect when you eat anti-aging foods are as follow:  -Healthy hair; -Stronger nails; -Slim figure; -Reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease; -Better circulation; -Lower blood pressure; -Hydrated, glowing skin. Read More: Top Traditional Bangladeshi Foods You Must Try 14 Most Effective Anti-aging Foods for Young Skin Extra virgin olive oil Extra virgin olive oil is amazing and the healthiest oil on earth. It has healthy fats and antioxidants that help you to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage caused by an imbalance of free radicals in the body.  A diet that is rich in olive oil can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and certain types of cancer, and the monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) available in olive oil ( about 73%) may help reduce skin aging. Read More: Beetroot: Nutrition, Health Benefits, Doses, Side Effects

The situation of persons affected by leprosy in Bangladesh indicates that the country’s outstanding economic growth is not reaching the entire population, a UN expert said today (February 15, 2023). She called for draft anti-discrimination laws to formally recognise leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, as a prohibited ground of discrimination. “Leprosy is hidden beneath multiple layers of systemic exclusion, structural discrimination and institutional neglect,” UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, Alice Cruz, said in a statement at the end of an eight-day visit to Bangladesh. Bangladesh has the fifth highest number of leprosy cases in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), with relevant data indicating ongoing transmission, late diagnosis, and gaps in the health system. Also read: UN leprosy expert to visit Bangladesh “While I commend the Prime Minister’s commitment to eliminate leprosy by 2030, I am concerned that the state administration is failing to implement this promise,” the UN special rapporteur said. “Adequate budget allocation with clear targets, indicators and benchmarks is essential to turn the government’s pledges into reality,” Cruz said. The UN expert expressed deep concerns about a high potential number of hidden leprosy cases, critically delayed diagnosis, ongoing transmission and disability among children and widespread disease-related discrimination and stigmatisation. She also highlighted limited access to care for those affected – including rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery, assistive devices and psychosocial support. Also Read: Leprosy still infects 4000 people every year in Bangladesh Cruz deplored the data gap and limited understanding of leprosy among the relevant authorities. “Fundamental principles of the right to development, such as equity, self-determination, participation and justice are not being met,” the UN special rapporteur said. “Persons affected by leprosy and their families are still not enjoying the benefits of economic growth, nor are they seeing discrimination against them duly redressed,” she said. The expert expressed concerns about reports on corruption with regard to access to disability-related benefits and other social protection schemes, limited efficiency of oversight institutions and essentially paternalistic approaches to people living in vulnerable situations. Read More: Karkuma Immune Plus boosts type-2 diabetic patients' immunity by 27percent: DU-BIRDEM study She noted that the government of Bangladesh was committed to actively engaging with the international human rights system to protect the fundamental rights of persons affected by leprosy. During her visit, Cruz met members of the government, representatives of civil society organisations, healthcare workers, and persons affected by leprosy. She visited healthcare facilities and communities affected by leprosy in Nilphamari and Bogura. The UN special rapporteur will present her report on the visit to the Human Rights Council in June 2023. Read More: Bangladesh built fast response capabilities for influenza, other respiratory infection using lessons learned from Covid-19: WHO

Thirty-nine more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Friday morning. However, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 274 – the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019 – as no fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). A total of 516 dengue patients, including 287 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. Read: Dengue fatalities now 274 with another death The DGHS has recorded 61,883 dengue cases and 61,093 recoveries so far this year.

Bangladesh reported eight more Covid cases in the 24 hours to Friday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,011, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,438 as no new fatalities were reported. The daily case test positivity dropped to 0.37 percent from Thursday's 0.62 percent as 2,178 samples were tested during the period. Read: Bangladesh logs 16 more Covid cases The mortality rate and the recovery rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent and 97.55 percent, respectively.  In November, the country reported 10 Covid-linked deaths and 1,345 cases. Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.

Bangladesh reported 30 more Covid cases in the 24 hours to Friday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,036,760, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,436, as no new fatalities were reported. The daily case test positivity rose to 1.14 percent from Thursday's 0.99 percent as 2,633 samples were tested during the period. The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent, while the recovery rate rose to 97.53 percent. Read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees one more death, 32 more cases In November, the country reported 10 Covid-linked deaths and 1,345 cases. Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.

One hundred and eighteen more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Friday morning. However, the official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 263 – the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019 – as no fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). A total of 1,217 dengue patients, including 692 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. The DGHS has recorded 59, 813 dengue cases and 58,333 recoveries so far this year. Read: Dengue death toll now 263 with three more deaths Bangladesh is being hit hard by a recurrence of an outbreak of dengue, the disease that is endemic to the country. Doctors and health experts say that measures taken by the city corporations and other authorities are not proving to be effective. The publicity and drives carried out by the authorities to destroy larvae of Aedes mosquito are proving to be inadequate.

Another 380 people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning. The total fatalities remained unchanged at 254 as no death was reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the new patients, 218 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 162 outside it, said DGHS. Read: Dengue: Bangladesh reports 380 cases, zero death in 24 hrs A total of 1,744 dengue patients, including 981 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. The DGHS has recorded 57,738 dengue cases and 55,740 recoveries so far this year.

Bangladesh reported one more Covid-linked death and 15 cases in the 24 hours to Friday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,434 and caseload to 2,036,612, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The daily case test positivity rate rose to 0.79 percent from Thursday's 0.45 percent as 1,894 samples were tested. The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent and the recovery rate at 97.51 percent.In November, the country reported 10 Covid-linked deaths and 1,345 cases. Read: Bangladesh logs 12 Covid cases in 24 hrs Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and its highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.