With the first heavy downpours we’ve seen a lot of monsoon-related sickness on the rise – think dengue, malaria, typhoid, jaundice. The word from the medical side is that if you let your guard down, it can turn into something serious in no time. We’ll show you how to keep well and still make the most of the weather.
Why you see more of these in the monsoon
The air gets thick with moisture and you have water collecting in odd places: the lanes, on the roof, in old tins. It’s an open invitation for all manner of bacteria, viruses and mosquitoes to make a home of it, and you can see the uptick in cases in every town and city as a result.
It’s the young, the elderly and those with a weaker constitution who are most at risk. But there are some basic rules when it comes to what goes in your mouth and how you keep things clean that will do a world of good for the whole household.
Dealing with the mosquitoes: dengue, malaria, chikungunya
If you want to avoid a run-in with dengue or malaria, start by looking at any standing water in and around the house. Put up a net, put on long sleeves when the bugs are out, and you’ll be fine.
Aedes aegypti is the one that gives you dengue. You’ll know it by the rash, the aching in your muscles and behind the eyes, the nausea, maybe some bleeding from the gums or even vomiting blood. In a bad case it can become dengue hemorrhagic fever and be life-threatening. Usually, the worst of it sets in a day or two once the fever has broken.
Don’t worry about catching it from someone else; it doesn’t work that way. An exception is if you are with child – then there is a chance of passing it on during the pregnancy or delivery.
Then there is malaria. The Plasmodium parasite will hit you with a high fever and chills, and you might feel like you have the flu with some vomiting and diarrhoea to boot. Get tested and treated early before it becomes a problem.
Chikungunya is another one you pick up from an Aedes mosquito bite, and they like to go after you in the day. It hits you hard with a fever and a kind of joint pain that can put you out of commission for a while.
When water and food aren’t safe: typhoid, cholera, and the rest
Once the rains come, you can’t be too careful with your water or your meals. Make sure they are fresh and properly done. I’d be wary of anything from the street, pre-sliced fruit, or anything that’s been left out.
Typhoid is just one of them. Salmonella typhi is the culprit and it gets to you via your food and water. If you come down with a fever, a headache and some weakness in the stomach, you’ll know why.
If you don’t get on top of it, the consequences can be deadly.
Take cholera for instance. This is an acute infection from the Vibrio cholerae bacteria that will have you with watery diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps in your legs. In a bad way, it can dehydrate you to the point of death in a matter of hours. You’re more at risk when sanitation and hygiene are lacking.
Then there’s gastroenteritis, or what we call the stomach flu. A virus or bacteria does its work in the stomach and intestines and you can count on some nausea, vomiting and cramping. The only thing for it is to keep your hands, your water (boiled) and your utensils clean.
The rains also bring jaundice, usually in the form of Hepatitis A or E from something you’ve eaten or drunk. It will show up as a yellowing of the skin and eyes, and sometimes in your urine and stools. You might also feel itchy, queasy or have a dull pain in your abdomen.
Leptospirosis and other seasonal bugs
You can pick up leptospirosis, a bacterial bug, from animal urine. For some it’s like a bad flu; for others it can be a case of organ failure. Look out for a high fever, splitting headache, sore muscles, red eyes and the usual run-of-the-mill symptoms.
When the weather turns and humidity is in the air, you’ll see more of the flu and cold. The flu is no joke and is far more of an ordeal than a common cold. If it gets to be too much, see a doctor and put in some time with some rest and fluids.
As for fungal rashes, they like to make an appearance when a pathogen has a way in through a cut or a crack. You’ll notice some redness, heat, or even pus. Don’t let things stay damp for long and you’ll keep them from spreading in the house.
When to see a doctor right away:
– A fever with chills or a rash that is getting worse
– You can’t stop vomiting or have persistent, watery diarrhoea
– Any severe pain in the belly or if your gums are bleeding
– You’re running on empty or have a pain in your eyes
– You’ve been under the weather for three or four days and it isn’t going away
A monsoon health checklist
Some old-fashioned habits are the best way to ward off most of what the rainy season has to offer:
– Stick to water that has been boiled or filtered
– Soap up before you eat and when you come in from outside
– Make sure there is no standing water in or about the house
– Put up your mosquito nets and cover up with long sleeves
– Leave the pre-cut fruit and hawker food where it is
– Have a good, home-cooked meal
– Load up on your greens and Vitamin C
– Get some exercise, a good night’s sleep and drink up
With the southwest monsoon in Kerala and the downpours coming to North India by the end of June, experts have one thing to say: be on guard. A little boiled water, some discipline with hygiene and you can have your family in good health while you put up with the rain. Of course, if you aren’t feeling any better after a few days, make an appointment.
