13 Easy and Effective Monsoon Disease Prevention Tips

The rainy season is always exciting as it brings much-needed respite from the scorching summer heat and the beautiful petrichor seeping out from the earth. It is a time to rejoice in the beauty the season brings, but people should also be wary of the health threats that start cropping up during this season.

Though on one side it has good aspects, there is also a negative side to this season, such as waterlogged streets, breeding of mosquitoes, frequent power cuts, and health concerns. In addition, due to the wet, humid weather, the microbes begin to grow and thrive well, causing various viral, bacterial, and fungal infections such as common cold, cough, typhoid, Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya, etc.

The onset of the monsoon is synonymous with various contagious diseases. It causes temperature fluctuations in the body that can affect health in different ways, and not everyone’s immune system is strong enough to deal with such changes.

Most Common Monsoon Diseases & Symptoms

1. Dengue

Dengue is the most common monsoon disease caused during this season and is spread through bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which typically attack at dawn and breed in clean, stagnant water. This mosquito-borne disease can be painful and life-threatening, often requiring care at a health facility. The symptoms typically last about 2-7 days. The usual symptoms are high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and muscle and joint pains. Most people affected with dengue recover after about a week. It is vital to protect the body from any form of mosquito bites.

Also Read 9 Helpful Tips To Prevent Dengue Fever

2. Chikungunya

Chikungunya is also caused by bites from mosquitoes breeding in muddy puddles and stagnated water. The symptoms are almost similar to Dengue fever and are caused by Aedes Albopictus. Some signs are acute joint pain, high fever, fatigue, and chills. These mosquitoes are often found in overhead tanks, coolers, plants, utensils, and water pipes.

3. Malaria

Anopheles mosquitoes cause malaria. The leading cause of this disease in monsoon season is water clogging in many areas, making it a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Some symptoms are fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, rapid breathing, cough, general discomfort, etc. Another reason to be of concern during the monsoon season is a type of malaria caused by the plasmodium parasite and transmitted by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which is fatal.

4. Cholera

Cholera is caused by the consumption of stale, contaminated food and water. It is a water-borne infection caused by different strains of a bacterium called Vibrio cholera. Cholera generally affects the gastrointestinal tract causing severe dehydration and diarrhea.

It is caused and spread by poor sanitation and hygiene. Cholera is a life-threatening disease that needs immediate medical attention as it can lead to death within a few hours. The symptoms include low blood pressure, muscle cramps, rapid heart rate, and mucous membrane dryness.

5. Typhoid

Typhoid is a highly infectious monsoon disease. It is a disease that is usually caused by contaminated food and water. It is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi.

The infection is much more common where handwashing is not adequately practised. A disease that spreads through unhygienic, contaminated food and water, typhoid fever can be fatal. This bacterial infection is more prevalent in areas where handwashing is less frequent. The symptoms of typhoid fever are high fever, headache, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, weakness, etc.

6. Viral Fever

Viral fever is a common disease throughout the year but is more prominent during monsoon season. The symptoms may include a runny nose, coughing, nausea, fatigue, etc. It usually goes away with time and supportive measures, but immediate medical attention should be given if the body temperature is too high and associated with continuous vomiting.

Also Read Viral Fever: Its prevention and precaution

7. Common Cold and Flu

The sudden change and frequent temperature fluctuations during the monsoon season can increase the risk of common colds, coughs, and other viral infections like the flu. In addition, during the monsoon season, the immune system weakens and becomes easily vulnerable to cough, cold, and flu.

The symptoms are similar to both the conditions, such as a runny nose, sneezing, body aches, fever, general fatigue, etc. The flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms. 

Also Read This monsoon, prepare to fight with a cough

8. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted from animals to humans. This disease spreads through open wounds while walking through water-logged areas. Some symptoms are high fever, headache, muscle aches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rashes. Therefore, covering open wounds, cuts, and bruises is essential.

9. Stomach Infections

Gastroenteritis or enteric fever is one of the most common stomach infections that affect people during this monsoon season. It is usually caused by consuming unhygienic food and drinks from outside. Some symptoms are low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.

10. Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A infection is caused by the intake of contaminated food and water. It mainly affects the liver and causes symptoms such as fever, vomiting, rash, etc.

The mode of transmission of monsoon diseases

1. Water

Rainwater may be the purest form of water, but the unhygienic methods used to store it and the water logging makes it unsuitable. Exposure to such water places people at the risk of contracting diseases like:

• Typhoid
• Jaundice
• Hepatitis A
• Cholera

2. Air

Air provides a suitable medium of transmission for most contagious diseases that spread through droplet infection containing tiny pathogens causing:

• Common Cold
• Influenza

3. Mosquito

Monsoon brings with its accumulated stagnant water, which provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes breed faster and, in turn, leads to the spread of diseases such as:

• Dengue
• Malaria
• Chikungunya

The Connection between Monsoon Diseases and the Rain

It is ubiquitous to fall sick during the monsoon season because the germs rapidly grow and flourish with the moisture and wet puddles everywhere. Rainfall is not only a rejoicing time for people but also the best time for bacterial infections and sickness to affect people.

Though rainfall is not the real reason for the falling people’s sickness, the bacteria and viruses that breed during the season are the true culprits.

The risk of people being exposed to a cocktail of various viruses, bacteria, and other infections is twice higher during the monsoon than during the different seasons. The reason is that the high moisture content in the air encourages harmful microorganisms to thrive, resulting in the transmission of several diseases.

Many monsoon diseases remain undiagnosed until they affect a significant population. Early diagnosis and intervention, along with proper preventive and hygiene measures, can keep people safe during this deadly season of diseases.

General Health Tips for the Indian Monsoon Season

Excessive moisture and humidity in the air during monsoons may increase fungal and bacterial growth, causing various skin and hair problems such as pimples, rashes, allergies, hair fall, and dandruff are common problems this season.

While a refreshing rainfall after a hot and humid day can be the most incredible thing, a fact that cannot be denied, heavy rain could also bring in many seasonal diseases. During monsoons, the immune system is weakened, resulting in many breaths of air, mosquito, and water-borne diseases.

Although the risk of getting an infection is generally very high, such risk can be reduced or get protection by following these 13 easy steps:

1. Staying Hydrated

It is keeping hydrated by drinking lots of water. It is essential to have boiled and cooled water and avoid drinking anything from outside.

2. Wear Full Sleeved Clothes

Wear full-sleeved and light clothes to protect the skin from mosquito bites whenever going outdoors. It is even better to wear such clothes to prevent mosquito bites indoors.

3. Diet

Eat a well-balanced diet to keep the immune system strong and healthy. Take freshly washed, boiled vegetables, reduce the intake of fats, oils, and sodium, and avoid too many dairy products, as they can contain microorganisms that are harmful to health.

4. Avoid Self-Diagnosis

Avoid self-diagnosis and over-the-counter medication if there are any of the given symptoms, and seek medical help immediately.

5. Use Mosquito Repellents

Use mosquito nets and repellent machines at home and apply mosquito repellent creams before stepping outside. Use mosquito repellents at the workplace too.

6. Hand Wash

Wash the hands frequently with soap, water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

7. Avoid Eating from Roadside Vendors

Avoid eating out in open venues and food from street vendors.

8. Maintain Good Hygiene

Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. For example, cover the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing. Also, avoid close contact with infected people.

9. Avoid the Accumulation of Dirty Water

Try to keep the home and its surroundings mosquito free. Ensure that there is no stagnant water inside or outside our homes. In addition, make sure your home is well-ventilated.

10. Avoid Touching the Nose and Mouth

Avoid touching the nose and mouth with the hand without washing them. Wash your hands regularly after coughing and sneezing, before and after using the toilet.

11. Vaccination

Getting vaccinated against typhoid fever is recommended before traveling to a high-risk area. In addition, avoid visiting crowded places to reduce the risk of viral infections.

12. Boost Immunity

Incorporating particular food and vegetables into the diet will boost immunity. Especially for kids or senior citizens, it is essential to maintain good immunity by providing immunity-boosting food.

13. Nutrient-Rich Foods

According to medical research, foods, vegetables, and fruits rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin D, enriched with proteins, and antioxidants help fight the infection that makes the immune system weak.

Conclusion

The most awaited monsoon season provides respite from the summer heat. However, the monsoon season also brings various infectious diseases due to harmful viruses that thrive well in the rainy season. The humid climate, heavy rainfall, and cloudy weather spreads are good platforms for such infectious diseases. Therefore, rather than coming down with a sickness, it is advisable to take preventive measures to stay safe and healthy.

The immune system plays an essential role in fighting the unwanted bacteria and viruses that enter the human body. However, the rainy season weakens the immunity by bringing a host of infections and health woes, ranging from simple cough, cold, and flu due to drastic temperature changes to life-threatening viral fever and mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, etc.

So it is vital to play safe this monsoon season by eating a healthy diet, following preventive measures, and keeping yourself away from dangerous mosquito bites. If you suspect any illness personally or in a family member, especially if the children suffer from any disease, do not take it lightly and seek immediate medical attention as many new contagious diseases are cropping up every day.