The rainy season is almost everybody’s favorite as it comes after scorching summers. The beautiful rains, the timeless pakora, pudina ki chatni, and chai, are something that almost everybody enjoys. But these little things of joy come with a price. Summers are followed by monsoons and monsoons bring along many health risks. Monsoons can bring along extreme conditions – either high humidity or complete dryness. Now, the common set of problems associated with monsoon are water-borne diseases.

Just a little awareness about the possible conditions and a few simple precautions would protect you and you can perhaps relish the rains without being worried. Here is a list of the most common monsoon-related illnesses:

1. Cold, Cough, Flu, Viral Fever:

Common cold, cough, throat infection, fever can occur during any season. However, owing to the high dampness, the highest probability of catching them lies during the monsoons. These are predominantly viral in nature, and most often accompanied by body aches.

Preventive Measures

a. To reduce the chances of catching any infection, wash your hands frequently with soap and running water especially after coming in contact with people who are affected with any sort of viral infection(s) (or any other communicable diseases).

b. Wear warm and full clothing (especially cover your feet) to avoid the humidity to get through you.

c. In case you get drenched in rains, change into warm clothes at the earliest possible.

d. After a hair shower, dry your hair as much as possible – do not let them air dry throughout the day.

Treatment and Cure

In case you fall prey, plenty of OTC drugs (over-the-counter) drugs are available to alleviate symptoms in most scenarios. However, extreme high temperature or severe throat ache might be a warning sign and deserves professional medical help. He/she might recommend antibiotic(s).

Note: Be aware that indiscriminate antibiotic use increases the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics this may open doors to higher intensity of infections in the future.

2. Mosquito-Borne Diseases – Dengue and Malaria:

Malaria is a disease that spreads through mosquitoes breeding in stagnant, dirty water. The disease is specifically caused by the female Anopheles mosquito. The condition is indicated by high body temperature, body pains, chills, and profuse sweating. Untreated Malaria can also prove life-threatening.

Dengue can also be a life-threatening disease. Caused by the virus of dengue mosquito, Dengue can be prevented by keeping your body safe and protected from mosquito bites.

Preventive Measures

a. Protective meshes help prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.

b. Use mosquito nets in the night around the bed to keep mosquitoes away from reaching you.

c. Repellent sprays or creams may help as well. Also, apply these when you are outside.

d. Immediately after dusk is the peak time for active mosquitoes. Thus avoid going out at this time.

e. Do not take stagnant water inside and around your house, for granted. Remove the clogs as soon as possible.

3. Water and Food-Borne Diseases:

Poor sanitation and hygiene are one of the most common causes of infection attacks. Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Gastroenteritis, Cholera, Leptospirosis are noted to be very common diseases that occur during monsoon due to dirty, unkept, stagnant water. This set of conditions are tagged along with symptoms like loss of appetite, body pains (especially joint aches), high fever with chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

Preventive Measures

a. Make it a habit to wash your hands frequently to maintain hygiene and reduce the risk of infections

b. Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly in clean, potable water

c. Avoid roadside food especially junk food

d. It is not recommended that you get wet in rainwater and especially do not expose your feet to stagnant water

e. Many of these potential diseases have preventive vaccinations. These help in limiting the spread of disease

f. Any cuts/bruises/injuries, cover them well. Do not expose them to dirty water or the damp climate

Bonus Tip: Along with health, you can also take care of your skin this monsoon: http://bit.ly/2P37c18

In general, monsoon illnesses can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle such as maintaining general hygiene, taking precautions when enjoying in the rains, keeping our homes and surroundings clean, drinking clean water, exercising enough, eating a healthy and nutritious diet (avoid junk/fried/stale/roadside/stored food). Lastly, if you do fall sick, do not ignore underestimate medical help when the symptoms are extremely severe.