The arrival of the monsoon is often a welcome relief after months of scorching summer heat. Cooler temperatures, fresh rain and green surroundings make the season enjoyable for many people. However, the rainy season also brings a sharp rise in several illnesses. Increased humidity, waterlogging, contaminated food and water, and the breeding of mosquitoes create the perfect environment for bacteria, viruses and parasites to thrive.
Every year, hospitals see a rise in cases of viral fever, diarrhoea, food poisoning, dengue, malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and leptospirosis during the monsoon months. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with diabetes or weakened immunity are especially vulnerable to these infections. While it is impossible to avoid every germ, doctors say many seasonal illnesses can be prevented with simple everyday precautions.
Self-care during the monsoon is not about avoiding the rains altogether. Instead, it is about making smart choices that reduce your risk of infection. Drinking safe water, eating hygienic food, keeping mosquitoes away and knowing when to seek medical help are some of the easiest yet most effective ways to stay healthy.
According to Dr Akshay Chipare, MBBS, MD Medicine, Vencer Hospital, Pune, these four self-care practices should become part of everyone’s monsoon routine.
1. DRINK SAFE WATER TO PREVENT WATER-BORNE DISEASES
During the rainy season, water contamination becomes more common because floodwater and sewage can mix with drinking water supplies. This increases the risk of diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis A, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis.
Doctors recommend drinking only filtered, boiled or properly purified water. If you are travelling or eating outside, avoid drinking water from unknown sources. Even ice cubes can be unsafe if they are made using contaminated water.
Staying hydrated is essential, but the quality of the water you drink is just as important. Clean drinking water is one of the easiest ways to prevent many monsoon infections.
2. EAT FRESH, HOT AND HYGIENIC FOOD
Warm and humid weather allows bacteria and fungi to grow quickly in food. Eating food that has been left uncovered or stored for too long can increase the risk of stomach infections.
Doctors advise choosing freshly prepared meals served hot. Avoid pre-cut fruits, raw salads washed in unsafe water and uncovered street food during the rainy season. Food that has been sitting at room temperature for several hours should also be avoided.
People living with diabetes, kidney disease, digestive disorders or weak immunity need to be even more careful because infections may become more severe for them.
3. PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING AROUND YOUR HOME
Monsoon showers create numerous places where mosquitoes can breed. Diseases such as dengue and malaria spread rapidly when mosquitoes multiply in stagnant water.
Many people believe mosquitoes breed only in dirty water, but dengue-carrying mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of clean water as well. Flowerpots, coolers, buckets, trays under plants, discarded bottles and rooftop containers can all become breeding grounds.
Empty stagnant water regularly, cover water storage containers and use mosquito repellents or mosquito nets whenever necessary. If you develop fever along with severe body pain, headache, rash, vomiting or extreme weakness, seek medical attention promptly instead of assuming it is just a seasonal viral infection.
4. DON’T IGNORE FEVER OR STOMACH PROBLEMS
Many people try to manage fever, diarrhoea or body aches at home without consulting a doctor. While mild viral illnesses often improve with rest and fluids, persistent symptoms should never be ignored.
Warning signs such as continuous high fever, repeated vomiting, dehydration, reduced urine output, breathlessness, confusion, severe abdominal pain, or any kind of bleeding require immediate medical evaluation.
Doctors also advise against self-medicating with antibiotics or painkillers without proper medical guidance. Taking the wrong medicine may delay the correct diagnosis and sometimes make certain illnesses more difficult to treat.
The monsoon is a beautiful season, but it also demands extra attention to personal health. Most seasonal infections can be prevented through simple habits that take only a few minutes each day.
Drinking clean water, eating freshly cooked food, preventing mosquito breeding and seeking medical care when symptoms become severe are practical steps that can protect both individuals and families.
Rather than fearing the rainy season, doctors encourage people to stay informed and prepared. A little extra care during the monsoon can help you enjoy the rains while reducing your risk of preventable illnesses.
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Source: India Today
