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With the arrival of the monsoon, most health discussions focus on dengue, malaria, and bug bites. Aside from these ailments, there is another set of diseases induced by monsoon rains that go undiscovered until you catch them.
Consultant Physician, comments on these diseases: “Due to heavy rains, waterlogging, and unsanitary conditions prevailing during the monsoon period, the growth of bacteria, viruses, and parasites becomes rampant, leading to food and water-borne infections such as food poisoning, gastroenteritis, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis A.”
Why do stomach infections increase during the monsoon?
Waterlogging in drains and sewage during monsoon rains contaminates drinking water, while a warm and humid climate promotes the rapid growth of bacteria and other microbes, leading food to degrade quickly. intake of polluted water, as well as the intake of street meals or fruits and vegetables without covering them, can all lead to bacterial contamination. Furthermore, consuming foods prepared at home can be hazardous if the leftovers are not properly preserved.
Common monsoon-related stomach infections
Several digestive diseases increase in frequency during the rainy season. One of the most frequently reported is acute gastroenteritis, which typically causes diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and dehydration. While most people recover from this illness when given enough water, severe episodes of dehydration can be fatal, particularly for young children and the elderly. Typhoid, which can be transmitted by contaminated foods and water, causes symptoms such as long-term fever, weariness, stomachache, and loss of appetite. While rare, a cholera infection can cause serious dehydration and watery diarrhea if not treated promptly.
Furthermore, hepatitis A infection, which is caused by a virus and manifests as fever, vomiting, weariness, stomach discomfort, and jaundice, should be considered.
Symptoms to look out for
Most stomach infections start with minor symptoms but might escalate very quickly.
According to Dr Tushar Goyal, one should see a doctor immediately if there are symptoms of constant diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, weakness, dizziness or dehydration, such as a dry mouth and decreased urine output. Getting immediate treatment will help avoid any further problems.
Some easy steps to save yourself
Luckily, most of these water-borne diseases can be easily avoided through some simple daily practices.
- Drink only boiled or purified water.
- Eat freshly prepared food whenever possible.
- Avoid uncovered street food, cut fruits and raw salads from outside.
- Thoroughly wash your hands before and after meals using soap.
- Make sure that your fruits and vegetables are properly cleaned before consuming.
- Safe storage of cooked foods and refrigeration of leftovers is very important.
Who all require special care?
The onset of monsoons makes certain segments of the population more susceptible to illnesses and dehydration. Infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with diabetes or poor immunity should take extra steps to ensure their food and water safety. They should stay hydrated at all times.
Do not ignore any other disease this monsoon season
Though mosquito-borne diseases receive a lot of attention during the rainy season, the possibility of gastrointestinal infections cannot be overlooked. Your risks of getting sick can be considerably lowered if you take proper precautions and consume healthy drinking water and food.
A few easy precautions can protect you from seasonal infections.
(Disclaimer: The article’s advice and recommendations are meant primarily as general information and should not be interpreted as expert medical advice. Before beginning any exercise program or making any dietary changes, always get advice from your doctor or a dietitian.)
