Part 6: Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Dr. Vatsala Sastry

Brooksville, FL - Dr. Sastry was inspired to become an infectious diseases doctor so she could help people live longer lives free of pain and diseases. She emphasizes how a simple vaccine or drug could mean a lifetime of freedom from illnesses. Infections can be absolutely cured with a proper diagnosis and her life- long mission is being able to help patients live healthy and successful lives.

Today, she says we are much more equipped to fight COVID-19 should there be a surge because of the number of people who have gotten vaccinated and boosted. In fact, unvaccinated people still face the most risk from COVID-19. She stresses how we should stay up to date on our vaccines and precautions they should take based on their health history and risk tolerance.  Vaccine boosters targeted to combat the omicron subvariants and new vaccines are arriving soon and be widely available.

Other infectious diseases are looming. For instance, a global outbreak of mosquito diseases such as malaria and west Nile virus are of huge concern The common diseases that are spread through a mosquito bite are Malaria, West Nile, and Zike. With global temperatures rising, ecosystems shifting and mosquitos are spreading into new places formerly unwelcoming to their species, spreading malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue.

According to studies, over half of all known infectious diseases have been even made worse by climate change a dire consequence of human activities like deforestation. It’s critical we cut greenhouse gas emissions not only to decrease the spread and gravity of infectious diseases but for the health and longevity of our planet. Research supports by staggering numbers that climate hazards like heat waves, droughts, and ocean warming, are all linked to infectious diseases. We are being crippled by the incumbrance of these deadly diseases and every one of us is at risk.