Malaria hits the suburbs too

The first case of falciparum malaria has hit the suburbs, claiming its first victim. Ironically, it''s a doctor. Dr Ramesh Yadav, an MD in Ayurveda, who runs a clinic in Dharavi, is currently on his way to recovery after a fierce fight against the dreaded disease.
"I had fever a couple of days," recalls Dr Yadav. "The symptoms of flue were dominant, but I expected to recover.But things went from bad to worse, as I was on antibiotics and pain-killers for the bodyache. Consequently, I developed gastroenteritis, started vomiting and my headaches got worse."
Yadav''s wife Subhada, who is also an MD in Ayurveda, got the requisite tests done and confirmed that it was falciparum malaria. "There were no classic symptoms of malaria," says Dr Yadav. The family decided to move him to Pune, to place him under the care of his two brothers-in-law, both of whom are practising doctors. By then Dr Yadav had developed jaundice and his haemoglobin count had taken a dive.
A dose of anti-malarials and glucose brought relief, though the family claims that it was finally ayurvedic medicines that helped Yadav. "The germs are becoming immune to drugs, and despite necessary precautions, anyone can catch them."