Monsoon Season Health Tips
The monsoon season is always a welcome relief after a hot dry spell of summer. However, the rains also bring with them a multitude of health problems. And therefore, it is all the more important to follow some guidelines to avoid diseases and be healthy.
Follow these guidelines to remain safe and healthy during the monsoon season. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Staying healthy during the monsoon season requires particular care to be taken. The rain and water lying around makes it easy for mosquitoes to breed and increases the risk of mosquito transmitted infections, such as malaria and dengue fever. Viral infections are also common.
Diarrhea
This very common travel ailment is encountered by many travelers and usually results from the consumption of contaminated food and water. Some people also find that their stomachs and intestines don't appreciate the change in diet or spicy food. It's a good idea to always carry Oral Rehydration Salts, as well as anti-diarrhea medicine (such as Immodium) in case you have to travel and won't have access to a toilet.- Preventative measures: Only drink bottled water. Avoid buffets and only eat freshly cooked food that’s served hot. Be careful of eating washed salads, fresh fruit juice (which may be mixed with water), and ice. Meat eaters should avoid food from cheap restaurants and railway station vendors.
- If you’re fond of street food, the rainy season isn’t the time to indulge. Pollution of water and raw vegetables is very common during the monsoon.
- Apply a strong insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away and prevent getting bitten. It's also a good idea to take anti-malarial drugs during this time of year, as malaria is at its most prevalent.
- Where possible, try to avoid walking through dirty water. Besides leptospirosis, it can lead to numerous fungal infections of the feet and nails.
- Also avoid walking where water is lying on the road, as traffic will drive by and spay it all over you.
- Dry your feet whenever they get wet.
- Avoid colds and coughs by keeping your body warm and dry.
- Don’t enter air conditioned rooms with wet hair and damp clothes.
- If you suffer from asthma or diabetes, avoid staying anywhere with damp walls. It promotes the growth of fungus and can be especially harmful.
- Drink lots of warming herbal teas, especially those with antibacterial properties.
WATER:
Monsoon diseases are mostly waterborne; hence the first caution is about WATER.
Have boiled, bottled and purified water. Avoid water and ice that is not made from the above kind of water. Don’t drink beverages made other than from treated boiled water and do not add ice, even if they are not chilled to your liking. Avoid juices, buttermilk, lemon juice, etc, from street vendors. This also includes golas, kulfis, etc.
Monsoon diseases are mostly waterborne; hence the first caution is about WATER.
Have boiled, bottled and purified water. Avoid water and ice that is not made from the above kind of water. Don’t drink beverages made other than from treated boiled water and do not add ice, even if they are not chilled to your liking. Avoid juices, buttermilk, lemon juice, etc, from street vendors. This also includes golas, kulfis, etc.
FOOD:
Food poisoning from E- coli, salmonella or other contaminants is common in this season..
Eat only well-cooked and hot food. Throw out food, which has a strange odour or mould. Eat raw fruits and vegetables only if you have washed them in purified water and peeled them yourself. Avoid salads outside as raw chopped ingredients spoil fast. Avoid raw seafood and shellfish; in fact avoid seafood this season.
Food poisoning from E- coli, salmonella or other contaminants is common in this season..
Eat only well-cooked and hot food. Throw out food, which has a strange odour or mould. Eat raw fruits and vegetables only if you have washed them in purified water and peeled them yourself. Avoid salads outside as raw chopped ingredients spoil fast. Avoid raw seafood and shellfish; in fact avoid seafood this season.
DAIRY:
Refuse all dairy products unless they have been properly pasteurised.
Use clean eggs with intact shells. Absolutely avoid raw eggs. Avoid cheese unless it has been refrigerated. Discard foods that are discoloured, moldy or decayed. Take care to see that foods from cans or packets that are leaking or bulging should be thrown.
Refuse all dairy products unless they have been properly pasteurised.
Use clean eggs with intact shells. Absolutely avoid raw eggs. Avoid cheese unless it has been refrigerated. Discard foods that are discoloured, moldy or decayed. Take care to see that foods from cans or packets that are leaking or bulging should be thrown.
FRUITS and VEGETABLES:
Avoid fresh fruits, which have been pre-cut or peeled and kept in the open. Mangoes should certainly be avoided once the monsoons start.
It is strongly recommended to be careful about leafy vegetables due to the presence of mud, dirt and worms. Take special care with vegetables that tend to contain more insects and worms like the cauliflower, cabbage, spinach and so on. Fruits like pears, peaches, plums, papayas and bananas are available in plenty and are tasty too. Wash well before consuming. Nuts and seeds too can be had in small quantities unlike in winter.
Avoid fresh fruits, which have been pre-cut or peeled and kept in the open. Mangoes should certainly be avoided once the monsoons start.
It is strongly recommended to be careful about leafy vegetables due to the presence of mud, dirt and worms. Take special care with vegetables that tend to contain more insects and worms like the cauliflower, cabbage, spinach and so on. Fruits like pears, peaches, plums, papayas and bananas are available in plenty and are tasty too. Wash well before consuming. Nuts and seeds too can be had in small quantities unlike in winter.
OTHER COMMON PRECAUTIONS:
- Take care that you eat a balanced and protein rich diet.
- Fried snacks seem really tempting in the monsoons but keep it in moderation once in a while.
- Fever is a serious health problem during the monsoon season and do not ignore it, if it lasts for more than two days. Remember prevention is better than cure.
- Choose grilled sandwiches instead of cold ones.
- Opt for hot foods like soup and cooked meals instead of cold and raw foods.
- Separate raw and cooked food both when preparing and storing.
- Foods on the street should be strictly avoided.
- Keep chopping blocks and worktops scrupulously clean.
- Cover all seeds and grains with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties during the monsoon. At the same time make sure to wash them well before consuming to avoid flatulence and discomfort.
- Keeps your hands clean at all times, especially while handling food.
- Meat should not be stored in the fridge above other foods so that it does not drip.
- Foods should not be kept without the lid as it attracts bugs.
Follow the above mentioned tips to lead a healthy and a happy life.
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