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New Delhi, July 22, 2019 :
Monsoon season is a blessing in disguise as it allows us to escape from the scorching summer heat, but the rainy season is associated with excessive humidity which leads to multiplication of bacteria and other pathogens at a rapid rate. Also, people are more susceptible to water borne diseases during monsoon season, majorly due to stagnant rain-water.
To treat these water-borne diseases, people tend to overuse antibiotics, most of the time without proper consultation with a doctor. However, misuse of antibiotics leaves us more vulnerable to other diseases, because it kills the helpful bacteria in the body and also contributes to the rise in antibiotic resistance in the overall population. It is important to recognise common water-borne diseases which can afflict people during monsoons, to understand how they should be treated.
Listed are some of the common water borne diseases, along with the simple preventive tips:
- GASTROENTERITIS: Gastroenteritis and food poisoning are common during the monsoon season as high humidity helps in the multiplication of the bacteria in the foodstuffs. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea are the initial symptoms of gastroenteritis.
Preventive tip: It is very important that you keep yourself hydrated at all times. Avoid excessive spices, raw food and especially roadside food.
- TYPHOID: It is a water-borne bacterial infection that is caused by a bacteria known as Salmonella. This disease is caused by contaminated food or water. Symptoms of the diseases are prolonged high fever, abdomen pain, vomiting, headache, etc. In some cases, the infection can remain in the gall bladder of the patient even after he/she is cured.
Preventive tip: Drink clean boiled water to keep typhoid at bay. Apart from this, adhere to better sanitation and regularly wash your hand before every meal.
- CHOLERA: Cholera is one of the most common and deadly diseases that spreads during monsoon. Poor hygienic conditions, contaminated food and water are the main causes of this. Common symptoms of cholera are severe diarrhoea, vomiting which causes immediate water loss and muscle cramps. Severe diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance within few hours. Cholera demands immediate attention because it can cause death within hours.
Preventive tip: Cholera can be prevented by having clean drinking water, better sanitation, and washing your hand at regular intervals. Avoid contact with the infected person. In severe cases, the patient may need hospitalisation as well.
- JAUNDICE: Jaundice can be easily identified by the yellowish tinge to the skin and on the white part of the eye. It is mainly caused due to consumption of infected water. In jaundice, bilirubin increases in the blood because of which even the body fluids may appear yellow. It is also accompanied with fever and body ache.
Preventive tip: It’s not possible to prevent all cases of jaundice. However, there are few main precautions that can minimise the risk of developing jaundice. Maintain healthy habits, vaccinate against hepatitis A or B infection and avoid eating or drinking from contaminated places.
Some general overall preventive health tips during monsoon season are:
- Avoid eating outdoors as much as possible
- Make sure your garments are dry to avoid fungal infections
- Refrain from going to crowded places such as markets or malls
- While sneezing or coughing, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief
- Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before every meal
- Drink lot of water and use clean and filtered water for drinking and cooking purpose
- It is advisable to drink only boiled water or water from the purifier as a preventive measure against water borne diseases.
The Author of this article is Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
