Monsoon season is almost near the corner. As much excitement this season brings in our lives, it also creates opportunities for different kinds of diseases and infections to rise. After exhausting summers, when monsoon comes people go out to relax themselves outside. Monsoon gives a warm, wet and humid weather that is actually perfect for bacteria and water borne disease to thrive. It increases the risk of having diseases such as typhoid, leptospirosis, jaundice, dengue and malaria etc. These disease because water is stored in many places that becomes unhygienic and gives a breeding ground to water-borne diseases. Mosquitoes and insects spread these infections in people making them severely sick. Today, let us know about these diseases in detail and what the tips to prevent monsoon diseases are.
What Causes Monsoon Diseases to Occur?
Dr. Hakim Pardawala (M.D), Head of Department- Medicine from Saifee Hospital, Mumbai explains the major cause of occurrence of monsoon diseases. He says that risk of being exposed to numerous viruses, bacteria and infections increases during this season. Especially the chances of water-borne diseases increase by significantly almost twice as in any other season. The major reason behind it is the accurate moisture content in the air and temperature which compliments microorganisms to thrive and transmit these diseases.
In India, it is comparatively more serious because sewage pipes and sewers overflow that contaminate the water increasing the risk of water- borne infections. Monsoon also creates breeding ground of mosquitoes and result in increase of mosquito borne diseases. In most of the cases, especially in rural areas, these conditions go unnoticed which invite multiple complications. Also the medical facilities and living conditions are not well established which increases the risk of severity from monsoon diseases.
Types of Diseases that are Most Common in Monsoon
1. Water-Borne Diseases- Major source of these diseases come from dirty stored water or contaminated water in sewage pipes or in the potholes etc. Poor sanitization is the sole reason behind these types of diseases. Water-borne diseases like diarrhea, jaundice, hepatitis A and stomach infections are common in this type of environment. Many a times this unhygienic or contaminated water is used in cooking or other household activities which make people sick and ill of monsoon diseases. You should be aware of these water-borne diseases if you have symptoms like-
- Fever
- Appetite loss
- Weight loss
- Yellowish tongue
- Darkening of urine
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2. Typhoid- It is very common to have typhoid in monsoon season. Bacterium S typhi is responsible for spreading this disease and spreads through contaminated water and food. It can cause high fever, headache, sore throat, rashes, abdominal pain and diarrhea as some major symptoms. Consult your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms.
3. Viral Infections- Risk of viral infections also increase in the monsoon season and many of common illness increase during monsoon. Due to increase in humidity in the environment, you become vulnerable to many of viral infections which can reduce your immunity and cause other diseases as well. Viral infections affect large sum of people during monsoon.
4. Mosquito Borne diseases- Diseases like malaria and dengue increase significantly in this monsoon term as contaminated and stagnant water creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Dengue is also accompanied with several headaches and pain in the bones. It is important to get tested for it if you have symptoms like high fever, weakness, chills, joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Mosquito-borne disease can be severe and treatment should be provided as soon as possible to avoid complications.
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Tips To Prevent Monsoon Related Diseases
Here are some tips through which you can prevent monsoon related diseases from occurring. These tips are given by Dr. Hakim Pardawala, M.D (Medicine).
- Try to boil food or water before having consuming it
- Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating them.
- Ensure that all the food items are covered at all times when they are kept outside or at the times of consumption.
- Maintain your personal hygiene; do not exchange towels, brush or any other personal item with anyone.
- Get children vaccinated of these diseases
- Do not let water store at any place for long as it may become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Drink warm water in every few hours (preferably from your separate bottle)
- Keep proper cross-ventilation in your room and home at all times
- Eat a balanced diet to have strong immune system
- Use a mosquito coil, repellent or any other device to keep mosquitoes away.
- Wear full-sleeves clothes whenever you are stepping out in monsoon season
- Wash your toilets and places that have regular waste disposals
- Eat fruits that can be peeled off to ensure the bacteria goes off with the peel
- Have season friendly vegetables and fruits
- Avoid eating outside food especially in stalls and outdoor stores.
- If there are any potholes or open drains try to cover them to avoid breeding ground
- Wear proper footwear and shoes if it is raining or the environment is wet.
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