MONSOON HAS BROUGHT A RELIEF FROM THE SUMMER HEAT. HOWEVER, IT COMES WITH ITS SHARE OF PROBLEMS

Enjoy the rain but be wary of the 5 common threats
5 common health threats of monsoon
  • Mosquitoes
  • Leptospirosis
  • Fungal skin infections
  • Unsafe food and water
  • Viral infection
Mosquito borne diseases

The rains bring about the right conditions for breeding of mosquitoes. It is the most dangerous animal in the world and can cause - Dengue, malaria and chikungunya. These illnesses cause fever, headache, body aches, muscle pain and make you feel sick. Dengue is spread by Aedes sp. Mosquitoes which are usually day biters. Their flight range is restricted to 200 metres or so, and hence their breeding is to be prevented locally. 

What are the symptoms of Dengue?
  • ➤ High fever (40 C or 104 F)
  • ➤ Severe headache
  • ➤ Pain behind eyes
  • ➤  Muscle aches
  • ➤ Joint pain
  • ➤  Nausea and vomiting
  • ➤  Rash
Symptoms last for 2-7 days. Most people will recover after a week.

How is it treated?

  • ➤  No specific treatment
  • ➤  Rest
  • ➤  Paracetamol (NO aspirin or brufen)
  • ➤  Plenty of fluids
  • ➤  Look for warning signs
Prevention
  • Keep patients under a mosquito net
  • Use Mosquito repellants
  • Mosquito nets even at day time
  • Wire mesh, screens
  • Long sleeved, full length clothing while playing in the evening
  • Use Aerosol sprays indoors
  • Change water in vases every other day
  • Remove water from pot plates, drip trays
  • Cover or turn over all water containers
  • Cover toilet bowls, seal floor and gully traps if not in use
  • Dispose plastic bowls, bottles, sachets, wrappers properly
  • Prevent water stagnation
Leptospirosis
It is caused by exposure to water or mud contaminated with the urine of infected animals like rats or other domestic animals. 

The bacteria which causes Leptospirosis enter the body through cuts and cracks in the skin or through the membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.

Prevention of Leptospirosis
  • Do not wade in the rain water
  • Cover skin cuts with waterproof dressings
  • Wash well/ bathe after exposure
  • Avoid touching ill or dead animals
  • Wash hands after touching animals
  • Drink clean drinking-water
Fungal infection of the skin

Fungal infection of the skin can affect anybody on any part of the body. It spreads very easily and causes a lot of discomfort.

Methods of Prevention 
  • ➤ Do not share personal items like comb, towel, clothing, bedsheet or blankets  
  • ➤ Bathe every day. Dry your skin well.
  • ➤ Keep area between toes and fingers clean and dry
  • ➤ Wash area around your genitals and keep it dry
  • ➤ Wash your hair regularly
  • ➤ Wash your hands with soap and water after touching animals/pets 
  • ➤ If you sweat a lot after play, take a bath
  • ➤ Cut your nails short
  • ➤ Change your socks and underwear at least once a day
  • ➤ Keep your clothes clean and dry
  • ➤ Change your uniform as soon as you get back. Hang it up to air, in case you are not able to wash it immediately.
  • ➤ Take off your shoes as soon as you get back. Let them air and dry overnight.
  • ➤ Use well-fitting shoes. Avoid using tight shoes
  • ➤ Wear slippers in common bathrooms
Signs of fungal infection include
  • Itchy skin
  • Rash on skin 
  • Red scaly cracked skin
  • Hair loss
  • Thickened or yellow nails
Unsafe food and water (Typhoid, Cholera, Jaundice)

Food can be easily contaminated germs of different kinds. Sometimes the germs change the appearance, taste or smell of food when it spoils.

But the smell, taste or appearance of food is not always a good indicator to tell whether the food is contaminated or not.

The humidity during monsoons are just the right conditions for many different types of germs to thrive

Methods of Prevention
  • ➤ Wash hands with soap and water before food and after toilet
  • ➤ Avoid road side food
  • ➤ Avoid raw salads. Cooking destroys many germs
  • ➤ Eat piping hot food. Boiling destroys germs.
  • ➤ Avoid stale food 
  • ➤ Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating
Flu and cold viruses

Viruses are tiny germs that spread easily and cause many illness like cold, cough, sore throat and fever. They spread through droplets when people with viral illness cough or sneeze. They can settle on things (like table top/door knobs) around them and if you touch them and then touch your eyes, mouth or nose they will enter your body and make you sick.

  • ➤ Methods of Prevention
  • ➤ Wash your hands with soap and water. Use sanitizer if no soap and water
  • ➤ Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Use uour elbow if you have no hanky/tissue
  • ➤ Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes, Germs spreads
  • ➤ Avoid close contact with sick people
  • ➤ Stay at home if you are sick