Are You Celebrating Love or Inviting Diseases?

• Written by Nidhi Goyal

  Reviewed by Rashmi Rai

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Love is the most beautiful feeling in the entire world. You can love someone truly when you admire their flaws as much as their strengths. Valentine’s Week is a week dedicated to love and healthy relationships.

Just mentioning this week is enough to bring zeal to the couples as they find ways to express their love by planning vacations and buying gifts.

But have you ever imagined that oblivious Valentine’s Day planning might lead to health hazards? Hearing Valentine’s Day tales from the emergency room is unpleasant, so we want you to read to the end to stay safe and express love with care.

Love & Health: Avoid Valentine’s Week Emergencies

For a healthy celebration, you must know what diseases and medical conditions may arise amidst chocolates and candlelit dinners. Several health concerns may go unnoticed, as mentioned below.

The Kissing Disease

A kiss is a big way to show affection to your partner. Not only Valentine’s Week but infectious diseases also fall in February. The week falls during the peak season of communicable diseases like mono and colds. Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, spreads through saliva and is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is hard to detect whether an individual is infected with the flu, and the most horrifying fact is that the person starts shedding the infection before experiencing the full impact of the illness. You must be very cautious while kissing your valentine to avoid catching the kissing disease. Ensure you take all precautionary measures like flu shots for infection control and security.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

It is not the most romantic topic to read in a loveful environment. But understanding and preventing UTIs can help you ensure a stress-free celebration with your valentine. Though UTI is not a communicable disease, it can increase during sexual activity and harm the urethra and, eventually, the bladder. It is recommended to avoid harsh soaps, and one must urinate after intimate moments.

STD Awareness: Is Your Valentine Safe?

Everybody wants to give their valentine only love and not STDs. You can still have a risk for STDs even if you are practising safe sex because protection is not 100% effective. To have a sexually healthy celebration of love, an ultimate Valentine’s gift is an STD test. Many STDs don’t have noticeable symptoms; there may be several hidden infections. You may be infected with STDs, hepatitis C or HIV if you have any of the following symptoms-

• Painful or burning urination
• Painful sex
• Bumps on the genitals
• Unusual discharge from private body parts
• Lower abdominal pain

Safeguard Yourself and Your Partner

Younger individuals report high levels of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) compared to older ones. To avoid getting STDs, stay with one uninfected partner and use protection correctly without fail. Getting vaccinated prevents you from catching contagious diseases caused by hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV (human papillomavirus). Have more cherished moments by staying safe.

Broken Heart Syndrome

Broken heart syndrome is not just about heartbreak; it can happen due to intense emotional or physical shock. It is called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, a temporary heart condition highly experienced during Valentine's week. Heartbreak, rejection, romantic anxiety, and overwhelming positive emotions may cause the syndrome. The left ventricle temporarily weakens, reducing blood flow to the heart. This condition is more common in women and requires hospitalisation and medications.

A sudden hospitalisation due to broken heart syndrome may lead to hefty medical expenses like ECGs, ICU stays, and stress tests. Many people mistake it for a heart attack and panic, leading to expensive ER (emergency room) visits. Without a comprehensive health insurance plan, such huge unexpected medical bills would strain finances and emotionally burden you and your family. Though Valentine’s week is about love and care, ensure you prioritise your heart health and emotional well-being. Romance and wellness must go hand-in-hand.

H1N1 Flu Can Break Your Romance Flow

It’s Valentine’s Day; you are sitting with your valentine, hands in hand, planning your future with them. But do you know there’s an unseen third party listening to you- viruses? Direct and indirect contact, such as sharing food and drinks, can invite harmful bacteria unknowingly. Influenza viruses such as H1N1 spread through the air when an infected individual coughs, breathes, sneezes, or talks. The virus enters others' bodies through droplet transmission when they breathe contaminated air. It can also spread while kissing and create complications such as respiratory issues, muscle tenderness, and bacterial infections.

How to prevent it?

Flu vaccination is crucial to protect against harmful bacteria and viruses.

Fine Dining or Food Poisoning?

Consuming unhygienic food at restaurants during the festive season may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and food poisoning. So, ensure you follow hand hygiene, consume hygienic food items only and visit trusted food outlets. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 26.5% of adults have an allergic sensitisation to any food. Can a small amount of allergic food intake cause reactions? It is not advisable to kiss during that time. Na, na! Enjoy the celebrations mindfully.

Alcohol & Overindulgence: Drink Responsibly

Love means keeping each other safe. Excessive drinking can lead to risky behaviour and alcohol poisoning, potentially causing accidents. Drink water between alcoholic beverages to avoid alcohol poisoning. Ensure you don’t drink and drive otherwise, your romantic evening may become a nightmare.

Chocolate Can Darken Your Life

Chocolates are sweet but risky. We start visualising chocolates and flowers by default whenever we think of Valentine. Chocolates are a big hit between couples as Valentine’s Day sweets. But are you sure about your partner’s chocolate allergies? Are they allergic to peanuts or any other food? Consider nut sensitivities and chocolate allergies before giving and receiving. So, this Valentine’s week, you may go beyond chocolates and gift long-term security to yourself and your partner through health insurance. Explore the best insurance plans and safeguard your and your loved ones' physical and emotional health.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

Love is best when enjoyed with good health. Nobody wants to dampen the mood, especially occasionally, but ignorance and overenthusiasm may lead to health hazards, as we discussed above. Disease prevention is possible; it is just a matter of small precautions. A little awareness can ensure worry-free Valentine’s celebrations with your loved one.

Best of luck before you get lucky!

>> Also Read: What are UTIs?

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.