MGS Hospital: Common monsoon diseases and tips to keep them at bay

Monsoon brings dollops of relief, and some unwanted guests too. Doctors from MGS Hospital urge people to take special precautions to ward off a host of diseases that invade our bodies during the rainy season.  Here is a list of the some of the most common health issues that you could fall prey to during monsoon:

Dengue, Malaria &Chikungunya

Rainy season serves as the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, thus leading to ailments like dengue, malaria and chikungunya. While malaria is caused by a female anopheles mosquito, dengue and chikungunya fever are transmitted through an infected aedesalbopictus mosquito. The symptoms include high fever, shivers, weakness, muscle pain, and rash. Preventive measures include cleaning water containers regularly, wearing clothes that keep the hands and legs covered, and applying an insect repellant.

Influenza

It is a viral infection of the respiratory system. It is highly contagious and can quickly spread by coming in contact with an infected person (coughs, sneezes or handshakes), or a contaminated surface. The symptoms of this viral fever include headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough and joint pain. It can last for as long as 7 days. Doctors recommend washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded places to keep the infection at bay.

Typhoid

The disease results from consumption of contaminated water or food. Salmonella typhimurium bacteria is the main culprit. Headache, high fever, stomach pain, vomiting, loose stools, and weakness are the most common symptoms of typhoid. Therefore, it is advised to drink boiled or filtered water during rainy season. Also, avoiding street food can save you from the contamination caused by flies and other insects.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea refers to an infection of the bowel. It is caused by virus, bacteria and parasites. Apart from loose and watery stools, the disease leads to abdominal pain and cramps, bloating, vomiting, fever, excessive thirst, and weight loss. Washing hands before eating, drinking boiled water and maintaining proper hygiene are some of the preventive measures.

Leptospirosis

Also called Weil’s syndrome, leptospirosis is a bacterial infection. It is caused by coming in contact with the urine and feces of infected animals like rodents. Logged waterand soil are the common carriers. Fever, body ache, redness in the eyes, shiver, and inflammation mark the onset of the disease. To prevent it, always wear properly-fitted shoes to protect your feet from infected flood water. Also, control the spread of rodents using rat traps.

For more such preventive health tips, visit http://mgshospital.com/ or call (01145111444).