After months of unbearable scorching heat, drizzling showers are sure to bring cheers to everyone. A dip in the temperature gives great relief but increasing humidity that comes with it is troublesome. After the first few showers, heat and humidity levels rise. And it is this transitional phase that takes a toll on your health.
As the monsoon sets in clinics get flooded with patients with complaints of fever, cough, cold, loose motions, nausea, vomiting, skin problems with itching, weakness, headache, bodyache and so on. This is precisely the time to take care and precautions to protect oneself from a long list of health hazards that accompany monsoon.
Monsoon brings with it several types of infections. Contaminated food and water borne infections like gastroenteritis, jaundice, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis are rampant during monsoon. As stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, incidence of malaria, dengue and chikungunya increases many folds. Humid weather conditions create an ideal environment for the microbial growth. Wading through flooded waters increases the chances of leptospirosis. Cases of conjunctivitis are also common.
But don’t worry. Here are some precautions that will allow you to enjoy the showers, GET WET BUT REMAIN SAFE without falling prey to monsoon related ailments.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
- Monsoon is the time when dirty water mixed with sewage and soil can cause infections. Overflowing ground water can contaminate tap water.Make drinking water safe by boiling, filtering and by using ultraviolet purifiers to ensure its purity. Or just stick to bottled mineral water to protect yourself against water borne diseases.
- Avoid eating roadside food items such as cut fruits, chaat, ‘pani puris’ or salads.
- Clean your salads and leafy vegetables under running water. Steaming them is the best way to get rid of germs. Soaking the greens in salt water for about 10 minutes can help remove germs.
- Avoid eating stale foods. Eat only freshly cooked food. Do not let food items remain in the open for long. Store them in the refrigerator. However, frequent power cuts in many areas may spoil the food in the refrigerator, exposing it to bacteria.
- Clean chopping boards and dust cloths well before use.
- Wash your hands before handling food, after eating food and after visiting the toilet. Maintain good personal hygiene.
- Prevent stagnation of water near your house, in flower pots, coolers etc. All sources of water such as wells and storage tanks should be covered and cleaned to avert breeding of mosquitoes and prevent mosquito borne diseases.
- Carry out thorough pre-monsoon checks for water leakages due to faulty plumbing, ill fitted electrical switches and clogged drains to avoid mishaps.
- Use insect repellents, disinfectants and take precautions to stay away from mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and termites. Dried neem leaves, camphor or cloves emit fresh odour.
- Hot and humid climate during monsoon contributes to an ideal environment for the development of fungus. So keep dry during monsoon. Do not wear wet clothes for long to prevent fungal infections of the skin or nails.
- Wipe off the sweat and grime from your face and bathe often to feel cool and fresh.
- During monsoon, special attention is required to prevent fungal feet. Keep them dry. Opt for open shoes during hot and humid days to prevent fungal feet.
- Diabetics should not walk bare foot since the soil on which they walk is a reservoir of all types of germs
- Keeping yourself and your immediate surroundings clean, quickly changing to dry clothes and enjoying piping hot food or beverages, go a long way to lift your spirits.
- Despite the precautions, if you develop any signs of illness, consult your doctor immediately
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