As refreshing as it may feel, the onset of the rains brings with them a host of diseases and infections that can pose a serious range of health threats for you and your family. The risk of being exposed to multiple viruses, bacteria, and other infections is two times higher during the monsoon than in any other season. During this time mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, Chikungunya is at the peak. Whether you are staying at home or traveling, preventing mosquito bites is the best way to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease. Mosquitoes can be found in different environments and you may not always notice when you have been bitten.

When a mosquito feeds on blood, it also swallows viruses or parasites living in the blood. These viruses and parasites can be transferred to the next person the mosquito bites through its saliva. Any disease that is spread in this way from mosquito to human is known as a ‘mosquito-borne disease’. These mosquito-borne diseases can cause immense suffering for humans.

We should take as many precautions as possible to protect ourselves and our family from being bitten by mosquitos. Bites can occur at any time between dusk and dawn, but some are more active during the daytime. Mosquito-borne diseases can lead to a series of symptoms including fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, rashes, etc. Most people don’t get sick and have only mild symptoms after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Here are the ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites.

• Wear protective clothing-mosquitoes that can bite on any area of exposed skin. It is recommended to wear long-sleeved clothing that is light in color to protect yourself against mosquito bites
• Sleep with insect net-Preventing mosquito bites can be done with the use of an insect net over the beds.
• Use mosquito repellents -apply insect repellents to the exposed areas of skin. Be careful and wash your hands after application, do not touch your eyes and mouth.
• Use plug-in mosquito zappers, which release insecticide at low levels for several hours.
• Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by ensuring insect screens over the window and doors
• Trim green space- Keeping your grass cut and your yard free of leaf litter gives mosquitos fewer places to hide and breed
• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, so regularly clean of any stagnant water around your home such as water that has collected in flower pots, unused tires, trash cans, rain gutters. Make sure rainwater tanks and septic tank vents are screened and the gutters are not blocked.
• Clean air conditioner drip trays regularly to ensure free of stagnant water
• Dispose of domestic waste, empty bottles, cans, food waste into a covered bin to avoid mosquitos.

It is essential to follow the above tips to keep yourself and your family safe from mosquito bites which could cause mosquito-borne diseases. Vaccines can prevent some mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria. If you have been bitten by mosquitos and showing any symptoms mentioned above, seek timely and proper medical advice from the doctor to avoid any delay in treatment which could lead to potentially fatal complications.

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The much-awaited monsoon season is here. Providing respite from the summer heat this season is most awaited. People love the monsoon season for the cooling touch it brings post the harsh summers. However, monsoon also brings along several diseases due to harmful viruses. The monsoon rains also carry with it some common diseases such as viral fevers, stomach infections, malaria, dengue, typhoid, among others.

During this time, the risk of getting various diseases is extremely high owing to unhygienic conditions and other factors. Many of these monsoon diseases remain undiagnosed until they progress to uninvited complications. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases during the rainy season is important. Here are some common diseases which are prevalent during this season that one should be aware of.

Waterborne diseases see a hike during the monsoon seasons. The major source of this is exposure to dirty, contaminated water. Poor sanitation and the lack of a proper drainage system allow disease-causing microbes to run abound, leaving people with poor immune systems more susceptible to infection. Another source of danger is food that is prepared unhygienically. Stomach infections and diarrhea are commonly seen during the monsoon season. Jaundice or Hepatitis A is another water-borne disease spread through contaminated food and water which shows up with symptoms like appetite loss, fever, weight loss, tiredness, yellowish tinge to the skin and eyes, and darkening of urine.

Typhoid cases show an increase during the monsoons. Caused by a bacterium known as S. Typhi, it is also transmitted through contaminated food and water. High fever, headache, sore throat, rashes, abdominal pain, diarrhea are some of the symptoms.

Viral infections with symptoms of fever are common illnesses seen during the monsoon season. One of the reasons why it is so easy to catch a viral infection is the increase in humidity, making it easier for sick people to transfer the virus to healthy people. Strengthening the immune system is key to avoid the viral during the monsoon.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as Malaria and Dengue also see a rise during the monsoon due to the collection of stagnant water that makes it easier for mosquitoes to breed. Symptoms of malaria include a high fever with chills, headache, joint pains, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness. Symptoms of dengue are similar to fever and chills but there are certain differences. Dengue fever is usually accompanied by severe headache and bone pains. It can disappear soon but usually reappears with skin rashes. Lab tests help to confirm the diagnosis. Nowadays, cases of Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne disease are also seen.

During the monsoon, one should take basic precautionary measures to prevent any infection. These include:

• Be extra cautious of food and water – avoid eating foods or drinking water that has a risk of being contaminated
• Be extra vigilant with water, drink only boiled water
• Before cooking, ensure hands are thoroughly cleaned, maintain good toilet hygiene, wash hands well before and after using the toilet.
• Use a mosquito repellent and wear full-sleeved clothes while stepping out
• Wear proper footwear in the rains and wash the feet after walking in flooded areas
• Avoid visiting crowded places to reduce the risk of viral infections
• Do not touch your nose and mouth with your hand without washing them

The hot, humid, and wet weather makes it favorable for the micro-organisms to reproduce and multiply. It also results in many respiratory tract diseases and skin infections. If you or a family member especially children and senior citizens suffer from any illness, do not take it lightly. Many symptoms can be misleading and need immediate medical attention. It is essential to seek timely and proper medical advice during the monsoon to avoid any delay in treatment leading to potentially fatal complications.

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