Diseases During the Monsoon Tips for a Healthy and Safe Rainy Season

Monsoons are a vital part of the climate cycle and are essential for relieving the country of drought and famine. 70% of our country's rainfall comes from the monsoons, which decide the fate of agriculture, on which millions depend for food, business, and employment. Rains don't just fill the ponds and wells and replenish the water supply for the next four seasons; they even remove dust and debris from the air and help all forms of life, including humans, livestock, and plants, survive.

Despite the benefits of the rainy season, rains are one of the most dangerous seasons due to flooding caused by heavy rains, followed by diseases caused by stagnant water pooling. Some of the diseases of the rainy season are

Rainy season diseases

Common cold and cough

Usually, the sudden temperature change is the chief reason for a cold and cough. Temperature changes reduce humidity levels, which previously kept the virus at bay, and an increase in the strength of disease-causing viruses affects our immune system and the lining of our nasal passages, resulting in cold and cough symptoms.

Some of the chief cold-causing pathogens are the human rhinovirus and the influenza virus, which spread through airborne droplets and contaminated objects that carry the virus for at least a week after coming into contact with them. Studies have shown both influenza A and B viruses to survive for 24 to 48 hours on hard, nonporous surfaces such as stainless steel and plastic. Comparatively, they survive for a shorter duration of 8–12 hours on cloth, paper, and tissues.

The common cold is diagnosed through the above-mentioned symptoms and treated with over-the-counter decongestants, cough syrups, painkillers, and antihistamines. Additionally, you must rest and drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated and flush out the toxins faster.

Some of the chief symptoms of the common cold are:

 

• Mild hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Watering of the eyes
• Lethargy and feelings of tiredness

The common cold is diagnosed through the above-mentioned symptoms and treated with over-the-counter decongestants, cough syrups, painkillers, and antihistamines. Additionally, you must rest and drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated and flush out the toxins faster.

Viral fever

Viral fever is caused by viruses like rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, and a few adenoviruses that are strengthened during the sudden weather change during the rainy season. Fever is a defence mechanism your body exhibits to ward off the invasion and proliferation of the invading virus.

The chief ways in which viral fever is transmitted are

1. Sneezing and coughing
2. Ingestion of infected food and beverages
3. Mosquito bites

Some of the chief symptoms of viral fever are

• Perspiration
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Appetite changes

In most cases, viral fever lasts 3-4 days, though symptoms may improve sooner in some people. In such conditions, antibiotics are not of much use because of the viral nature of the problem. Fever symptoms are treated with OTC medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which decrease the temperature. Resting and drinking enough fluids help the body recover from the fluid loss caused by sweating.

 Stomach infections

 

A primary reason for stomach infections during the rainy season is contaminated water and poor sanitation. Studies have shown that heavy rainfall and water scarcity increase gastroenteritis, or stomach infections. Drought or low rainfall conditions increase the concentration of faecal pathogens. Heavy rainfall, on the other hand, contaminates water supplies with human or animal faecal pathogens that leach into bodies of water from sewage systems.

Drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food introduces bacteria into the GI tract, triggering infection symptoms. You can even get the infection or transmit it from infected utensils, towels, and food items.

The chief symptoms of stomach infections are

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Bloody stools 

Bacterial gastroenteritis can last anywhere from 2–7 days, but in some people, the symptoms reverse within a day or two of getting the infection. Alternatively, some people can observe worsening symptoms, so it is important to get urgent medical attention.

Antibiotics like ampicillin are the best treatment plan during this time. But it is equally important to drink enough fluids and regain the electrolyte imbalance caused by the infection. You should also eat semi-solid, easily digestible food during this time to keep your intestinal muscles from overexerting themselves while digesting it.

Swine flu

Flu is the umbrella term for infections of the nose, throat, and lungs that are more common during the rainy season due to the increased prevalence of viral pathogens in the air combined with the body's decreased immunity. Swine flu, also known as H1N1 influenza, is spread by coming into contact with pigs.

Signs of swine flu are:

 

• Fever
• Cough ranging from mild to severe
• Runny nose
• Watering of the eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Breathing difficulties

Usually, a respiratory swab or blood test can confirm the diagnosis of the virus. Once diagnosed, home management is the primary treatment for the virus. Bedrest, cough suppressants, increased fluid consumption, and inhalations are some of the best ways to deal with the virus. In severe cases, you may need to be hospitalised and have medications administered intravenously.

Mosquito-borne diseases

The rainy season results in increased humidity, which is a favourable environment for mosquitoes to breed. The stagnant rainwater collected during the rains makes an excellent breeding place for mosquitoes to lay eggs and multiply rapidly. It takes 2-3 days for a pupa to develop into an adult mosquito that can lay 100 eggs every third night. Malaria, dengue, and chikungunya are common mosquito-borne diseases that can result in severe complications if left untreated.

Some of the chief complications of mosquito-borne diseases are

• High Fever
• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Moderate to severe anaemia

Antimalarials like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine work against malaria to a certain extent. But dengue and chikungunya don't respond to medications because of their viral origin. NSAIDs should be avoided as they can lead to internal bleeding.

You should rest sufficiently during this time and maintain the fluid balance while consuming foods rich in vitamins A and C, as they can boost the body's immunity and detoxify it.

 

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It usually spreads from contaminated food and water handled or consumed by an infected person and increases in severity in the rainy season to the point of reaching endemic proportions. The virus does not spread through the air by sneezing or coughing but through food handled by an infected person or washed with contaminated water.

You can even get the infection by eating improperly cooked or raw shellfish polluted with sewage. Some of the chief symptoms of the Hepatitis A virus are:

• Sudden nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling excessively tired
• Clay or grey coloured stool
• Dark urine
• Jaundice symptoms include skin or eye yellowing.

Treatment of the Hepatitis A virus is usually in the form of rest and adequate food and liquid. The liver is at a vulnerable stage, and abstaining from alcohol consumption is necessary to avoid complications during this period.

Ways to stay safe during rainy season

Contaminated water is one of the chief causes of most diseases in the rainy season. That, coupled with improper hygiene practices, further makes the body vulnerable to infections and disease. Some of the most important ways to stay safe during the rainy season are as follows:

Consume boiled water

Boiled water kills the majority of the pathogens present in it and makes it safe for drinking. A cup of hot water is as essential for helping digest the food efficiently as it is for helping open the blocked nasal passage through the released steam. It even helps with constipation, which is common during the rainy season due to the body's slowed digestion caused by the humid climate.

Maintain personal hygiene

 

Washing your hands is the first step in maintaining hygiene, as it prevents germs transmitted from the outside from spreading inside the body. Also, washing the food you prepare thoroughly is equally essential. Wear a mask when you go out, and avoid sneezing without covering your mouth. Wear clean clothes that are regularly washed as a preventive measure.

Use mosquito repellent

A mosquito repellent keeps mosquitoes from spreading inside the house and considerably reduces the risk of malaria and dengue. In addition, keep your doors and windows closed and use a mosquito net while sleeping.

 Wear a raincoat

Umbrellas, despite their effectiveness, do not provide optimum protection from rain. They are designed in such a manner to be waterproof yet breathable, allowing you to sweat easily. Unlike umbrellas, Raincoats are hands-free. Most importantly, mosquitoes can't pierce through them and reach the skin, unlike other fabrics.

End Thoughts

The rainy season is a challenging time for many due to the increased risk of disease. Following simple preventative measures such as wearing protective clothing, maintaining good hygiene practices, and avoiding stagnant water can help reduce your chances of falling ill during this period. Also, if you start feeling unwell, seek medical advice immediately to ensure that any illness gets treated in a timely manner. Taking these precautions will help keep you and your family healthy, allowing you to enjoy the rainy season without fear of becoming ill.