The rainy season is a respite from the scorching heat of the summer. It brings along greenery, cool breeze and cold weather. And at the same time, it brings along potent threat to the health, specifically to children because of developing stage of the immunity system.

Monsoon is not just pleasant to human beings but also for monsoon insects. Due to locked humidity in the atmosphere and stagnant water at several places, the weather becomes favorable to water-borne insects as well,  for breeding purpose.

Breeding results in an increase in the number of rain insects, flies and mosquitoes. These vectors cause water-borne diseases and several infections such as cholera, diarrhea, malaria, respiratory tract infections, cold, flu, viral influenza and skin infections. 

Some of the health concerns often complained about, during monsoon season includes-

• Malaria is counted among one of the common disease associated with the rainy season.
• An abrupt drop in the temperature has a direct impact on the health of people who are- allergic to cold, diabetic or asthmatic.
• Monsoon is also known to trigger breathing concerns. This happens due to dampness in the air, which promotes the growth of fungus that may be inhaled by people. This may result in pneumonia.
• An individual suffering from allergic rhinitis might develop swollen tissues inside the nasal walls, also referred to as turbinates, inside the nasal wall. This blocks the nostrils and causes difficulty in breathing. If allergic rhinitis is not taken care of properly, the patient may develop serious health complications including headache, asthma and sinusitis.
• Children are in developing stage; hence they have a weak immune system when compared to adults. Thus they are more susceptible to measles, runny nose, mumps and runny nose in monsoon.

So the next question arises what should be done to avoid getting into such conditions in the first place. It is absolutely true that ‘Precaution is better than cure’ for circumstances like these. As soon as monsoon arrives, people should visit a doctor to know about precautionary steps to be followed.

People residing in Mumbai can easily get Sehgal Nursing Home and discuss with doctors about the mandatory steps.

Here is a list of some of the basic habits, which should be inculcated during rainfall-

Personal Hygiene: As discussed above, monsoon is the breeding season of various insects, germs, bacteria and virus which is one of the main sources of infections and illness in monsoon. 

It is not easy to protect children from these vectors as they are present in the environment all the time. To protect the health, make sure to keep yourself as well as environment clean and dry all the time.

Sanitization should be in the to-do list before cooking as well before having a meal. 

During rainfall, children tend to get wet while playing in the rain. In such a condition, they should take a shower after playing in the rain.

Healthy & Balanced-Diet: Have food rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and provide nutritional value to the body. These nutrient components strengthen the immunity system of the body and help fight infections.

It is advisable to avoid raw foods such as salad and raw eggs, as there lay a high risk of contamination due to these food items. The reason behind this condition is they are not cooked above 45F and thus the bacteria might stay alive and harm the body.

Also, fruits and vegetables should be cleaned thoroughly in clean water before consuming or using them.

Freshly cooked food items:  Diseases like typhoid, diarrhoea and cholera are widespread during monsoon season. Usually, these diseases affect children in large scale due to consumption of contaminated water and food. Thus, to avoid any water and food-borne diseases, make sure to have freshly prepared food. Also, do not have leftover food unless it is reheated. 

Street food and meals in the restaurant and hotel should be avoided in monsoon, as there is no guarantee of the hygiene.

Stay hydrated: It is a proven fact that a hydrated body can fight off cold and flu. There are several advantages of staying hydrated and one is- it keeps the system clean and flushes out all the germs and toxins from the body. Though, contaminated water is one of the main sources of diseases like jaundice, hepatitis, and diarrhoea. 

So, it is clear that one should not have plenty of boiled or filtered (clean) water to avoid water-borne diseases.

Clothes and Footwear: When it comes to clothes, carrying umbrellas raincoats are must things to protect from rain. But apart from this, children should preferably be dressed in loose cotton clothes, which allow the skin to breathe.

Footwear and gumboots should be clean, so tiny feet can be protected from infections caused by rainwater.

Monsoon, indeed, is one of the awaited weather after summer as it provides respite from heat-waves. On the other hand, it has its own adverse effects which can take serious tolls on health; and can’t be neglected.

Proper care and precautions at the right time can help people to enjoy the weather completely without getting affected physically. Tips given above are basic and can be followed easily in daily life and hence, the diseases can be avoided very easily.