With the pouring rain comes a slew of ailments. AT tells you how to keep them at bay
Even though there are lots of fans of the romantic season of monsoon, there’s no denying that diseases can rain on your parade.
COMMON DISEASES
Some of the most serious seasonal maladies include l e p t o s p i ro s i s, malaria, dengue, gastroenteritis, typhoid, viral fever, jaundice and viral conjunctivitis. Physician Dr Jyoti Parekh says, “Monsoon diseases occur mostly due to frequent changes in temperature and excessive humidity, which helps bacteria multiply fast.”
Statistics say around 76,755 people contracted malaria in the monsoon in 2010 as opposed to 44,035 in 2009 — a staggering rise of over 70 per cent. This year, there has been a marked rise in dengue cases, say doctors. Apart from this, monsoon also brings with it viral fever, cold cough and flu, states Dr Parekh.
CAUSES Monsoon is the season of waterborne diseases. Both malaria and dengue are caused by mosquito bites and mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. When drinking water gets c o n t a m i n at e d with sewage water, it leads to diseases like gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid. And leptospirosis happens when drinking water gets contaminated with rat urine.
DOCTOR’S
ADVICE
A regular check-up is important.
Do not ignore fever, because if left undiagnosed platelet count drops drastically.
Both gastroenteritis and jaundice are caused because of consumption of unhygienic food and water, so always drink filtered, boiled or bottled water to prevent infections.
The use of mosquito repellents prevents mosquito bites and also protects you from dengue.
Flies carry germs from fruits and foods that are kept open, so avoid eating raw, uncooked food to prevent stomach upsets.
Sweets made of milk and paneer spoil easily. Avoid eating them if they are not fresh.
Wash feet thoroughly and dry properly to avoid infections.
Any cut or wound can become septic easily, so clean and cover a wound with antiseptic and keep it dry.
No comments:
Post a Comment