01/4 Apart from COVID, these are the illnesses you should be worried about right now
01/4 The last few months have been tough for all of us. While the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be slowing down, we still have to be as cautious in order to be safe. Not just COVID-19, the current weather is an invitation to many other airborne, waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases.
We have to be extremely careful to keep ourselves safe during the monsoon season. Here is a list of some monsoon diseases we need to be careful about.
02/4 Mosquito-borne diseases
Monsoon is the breeding season for mosquitoes. India has a huge burden of mosquito-borne disease with 34 per cent of the global dengue and 11 per cent of the global malaria cases coming from India.
Malaria
Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite called Plasmodium, which is one of the major health concerns during monsoon. The species of mosquito breeds in water channels and streams and is accompanied by high fever for several days.
Dengue
Dengue is caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water (buckets, drums, wells, tree holes and flower pots). The incubation period of dengue fever is four to seven days after being bitten. The first sign includes fever and fatigue.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is caused by the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which is a non-fatal viral disease. These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and can bite you not only during the night but also during the day.
Tips to stay safe from mosquito-borne diseases
– Use mosquito nets in your house
– Do not allow water to collect or stagnate anywhere around the house or in the house
– Maintain proper hygiene and clean your house regularly
– You can also use mosquito repellants/creams before stepping out of the house or even while staying inside
03/4 Water-borne diseases
Water-borne diseases are another common problem during the monsoon season. Kids are easy victims of these diseases as their immune system is weak and prone to contracting diseases. Some of the most common water-borne diseases are:
Typhoid
Caused by S. Typhi bacteria, typhoid is a water-borne disease, which spreads due to poor sanitation. Eating uncovered or spoiled food or drinking contaminated water are the two major causes of typhoid. Symptoms of typhoid include headache, joint pain, fever and sore throat.
Cholera
Also caused due to poor sanitation and contaminated food, cholera is accompanied by loose motions.
Jaundice
Jaundice is caused by poor sanitation, contaminated water and food. It causes liver dysfunction and can have symptoms like weakness, fatigue, yellow urine, vomiting and yellow eyes.
Hepatitis A
It is a viral infection that spreads by contaminated food and water. It can damage and inflame your liver. Symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, fever, yellow eyes, stomach tenderness, dark coloured urine and sudden loss of appetite.
Tips to stay safe from water-borne diseases
– Wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption
– Keep the food covered
– Do not consume outside food
– Maintain personal and environmental hygiene. Wash and sanitize your hands often.
– Ensure there are no open drains and potholes in your locality
– Get your children vaccinated on time
04/4 Air-borne diseases
Due to the weak immune system, children and the elderly are most prone to getting air-borne infections during summer. The two most common types of air-borne diseases are.
Cold and flu
Cold and flu are the most common viral infections, which are caused due to sudden fluctuations in temperatures during the monsoon. A weak immune system makes us more prone to contracting these minor infections, which is accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, fever and chills.
Influenza
Commonly known as flu, influenza spreads easily from person to person and is easily transmitted through the air.
Tips to stay safe from air-borne diseases
– Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
– Drink warm water every few hours and carry your own water bottle when you go out
– Keep your kids away from people who are already infected
– Ensure washing hands and feet thoroughly once you come back from home
– Make sure that your home is well ventilated
