COMMON DISEASES IN RAINY SEASON

Rainy season is wonderful season of the year. Most of the people love rainy season as it brings joy and happiness into the life by bringing relief from the summer heat. 

Though it is enjoyable time but still you will never want to ruin it by falling sick Isn’t it?

Let us go through some of the common diseases of the rainy season along with some preventive measures.

Diseases of Rainy Season-

Influenza

It is also known as “the flu”, it is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. 

Signs and Symptoms-

Signs and symptoms may range from mild to severe It affects the upper respiratory tract, nose, and throat. You may notice the following symptoms- 

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Body ache
• Headache
• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Congestion

These symptoms begin typically 1–4 days after exposure to the virus and may last for about 2 to 8 days.

This is also termed as common cold and it is very common during Rainy season. As the virus spreads through the air so it is highly contagious. 

Typhoid

It is a waterborne bacterial infection that is caused by salmonella bacteria. It is caused due to consumption of contaminated food and water.

Sign and symptoms-

• Pain in the abdomen or muscle
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Fever with chills
• Loss of appetite or malaise
• Headache
• Muscle weakness
• Rash with small red dots
• Skin rash or weight loss

The incubation period – 6–30 days

Onset of this disease is insidious and there is gradual increase of fever from Low to High grade fever.

Cholera

This is a common and deadly bacterial disease that spread during monsoon. It is caused due to contaminated food and water. 

Sign and symptoms-

• Severe diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Muscle cramps.

It should be treated as soon as possible because it is very fatal.

Hepatitis A

It is infection of the liver which is highly contagious and caused by the Hepatitis- A virus.

This infection spreads by eating fruits, vegetables, and other contaminated food items. 

Sign and symptoms-

The main symptoms associated with this disease are-

• Inflammation of the liver
• Jaundice
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue.

The symptoms may clears up on its own in 1 or 2 months but it requires proper Rest and adequate hydration along with medication and requires a medical diagnosis.

Dengue 

It is a mosquito borne disease and it gets transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes or tiger mosquito because they are having black and white stripes on their body. It is also known as “Break bone fever” as there is severe multiple joint pain in this disease. 

Sign and symptoms-

Major signs and symptoms associated with Dengue are as follow-

• Severe joint and muscle pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headache
• Fever
• Rashes
• Exhaustion etc.

It requires a proper treatment and critical cases need emergency care.

Malaria 

It is caused by a Female Anopheles Mosquito, this particular species of mosquito breed in the dirty water. 

There are a lot of chances that the water gets stagnant in all the possible places during the rainy season. This Stagnant water provides a place for mosquitoes to breed and spread the disease. 

Sign and symptoms-

The signs and symptoms of this disease are as follow-

• Fever
• Body pain
• Chills
• Jaundice
• Anemia
• Kidney failure
• Profuse sweating etc.

These diseases can ruin your rainy season so you should be careful and take some preventive measures as “Prevention is better than cure”.

Some Preventive Measures

You can take some precautions or preventive measure to keep these diseases at bay.

You need to follow some steps-

• One should thoroughly wash the vegetables, fruits with clean water before cooking.
• Drink clean and safe water.
• Every member of the family should use a separate towel for bathing.
• Avoid eating junk food items, packaged food items or food from outside.
• Intake of freshly cooked food.
• Use of mosquito repellents like Mustard oil application or other mosquito repellent ointments.
• Wash your clothes after single use and wear clean and dry garments.
• Use hand sanitizers and masks.
• Drink only boiled water.
• In Ayurveda, it is advised to take Madhu or Honey in your food and water during Varsha Ritu or Rainy season..
• Do not repeat the same mask each day. Wash the mask after single use.
• Maintain proper hygiene of your surroundings like often changing of bed sheets, pillows and clothing.  
• Clear out the stagnant water near your home. 
• Use mosquito nets and try to stay indoors especially during early morning and evening hours.
• When going outdoors you should wear light-colored and full sleeves clothing so that mosquito does not get attracted.

Follow these simple guidelines to keep yourself in the safer zone from the monsoon diseases.