Monsoon illnesses: Protect your health in the rainy season with these essential tips

Symptoms of cold and flu: Common symptoms include cough or sore throat, fever, joint or muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea (Image: Canva)

The monsoon season brings beauty with its lush greenery and refreshing rain, but it also presents challenges. Heavy downpours can turn streets into rivers, causing frustrating traffic jams and making commutes difficult. Humidity increases, leading to a rise in colds and flu, while gastrointestinal issues may follow those tempting monsoon snacks. Additionally, stagnant water creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes, raising the risk of vector-borne diseases. It’s important to stay aware of these challenges while enjoying the season’s charm.

Throughout the monsoon season, we typically see a sixty percent increase in patients with various symptoms and health concerns, says D Arun Wadhwa, Consultant Pediatrician in South Delhi. “Common issues include fever, sore throat, abdominal cramps, and other complaints. It is essential to understand these conditions, take preventive measures, and diagnose diseases early to proactively safeguard your well-being,” he suggests.

Dr Wadhwa shares 5 common health concerns to look out for this season:

• Cold and flu: Sudden temperature changes and increased humidity can weaken the immune system, making it easier for viral infections to spread. Tropical countries like India experience a high frequency of flu cases during this time. Common symptoms include cough or sore throat, fever, joint or muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. While symptoms may overlap, the flu has more serious effects than a common cold, which is why it’s important to recognize them early.

• Fungal infections: Fungal infections are more likely to grow in humid, damp conditions. This can lead to infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections, with common symptoms including itching, redness, and swelling.

• Gut issues: Contaminated water and outside food may lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and food poisoning, resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and nausea.

• Malaria and dengue: Stagnant water during the monsoon creates a breeding ground for vector-borne diseases. In fact, India alone accounts for 11 percent of global malaria and 34 percent  of global dengue cases. Key symptoms to look out for include fever, chills, and sweating for malaria. Dengue symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pain, and rashes.

Here are 4 effective tips to weatherproof your health and stay away from seasonal conditions, suggested by Dr Karankumar:

• Maintain proper hygiene: Keep your surroundings clean by disinfecting your home, eliminating stagnant water, ensuring proper drainage, and using mosquito repellents. Regularly wash your hands with soap, particularly before meals, keep your skin dry, wear breathable clothes, and ensure your nails are short and clean.

• Follow a balanced diet: Adequate nutrition is crucial for good health and immunity. While it may be tempting, avoid street food to lower your risk of infections and opt for freshly cooked meals instead. Staying hydrated, preferably with boiled or filtered water, is also important. Consuming nutrient-rich foods, like vitamin C, is essential to boost immunity and protect against infections. Rich sources of vitamin C include oranges, lemons, cauliflower, peppers, and broccoli. Your doctor may also prescribe a vitamin C supplement for faster recovery from infections.

• Stay active: While the rain may affect your routine, try to stay consistent with indoor activities like yoga or workouts. This helps keep your body fit, strengthens your muscles and bones, and improves your sleep quality, which is vital for your immune system.

• Take preventive health steps: For conditions like influenza, immunisation is an effective way to protect yourself and the community from infection. Taking a flu shot before the season can help guard against such illnesses and related complications. Consult your doctor to learn more about immunisation and its role in managing flu better.