Mumbai Rains: Monsoon ailments and their treatments

Monsoons in India bring with them a certain kind of excitement and novelty ndash the fresh scent of the earth childhood memories of splashing in puddles vibrant greenery everywhere and the tantalising taste of pakodas fresh out of the pan However these joys are often interrupted by many germs and viruses which accompany the season which in turn can lead to a host of deadly diseases or infectionsWhile most of these diseases can be prevented and cured by following a set of safe practices a number of them require proper medical attention or they can turn fatalMalariaThe most frequent disease of the season malaria is caused by a bite from the female Anopheles mosquito that breeds in small pools of stagnant waterSymptomsHigh feverBody acheBody ChillsSweatingSevere anaemiaPreventionMalaria can be prevented by using mosquito repellents As these insects breed in stagnant water it is also advisable to maintain a hygienic environment free from swampy conditionsDengueDengue is a viral infection spread by the bite of a female AedesAegypti mosquito which is responsible for spreading Zika yellow fever and Chikungunya This disease generally manifests as simple flu but if left untreated can turn fatal Serious cases of dengue can turn into dengue hemorrhagic fever or DHFSymptomsHeadacheEye pain typically behind the eyesMuscle joint or bone painRashesNausea and vomitingUnusual bleeding nose or gum bleed small red spots under the skin or unusual bruisingPreventionThe best ways to prevent dengue are by using mosquito repellents preferably EPAregistered ones Sleeping in airconditioned rooms also help as mosquitoes cannot survive in a cold environmentChikungunyaChikungunya is caused by the bite of an Aedes Aegypti mosquito but is rarely fatal It shares a number of clinical symptoms with dengue and as a result has been known to be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is commonSymptomsHigh fever 40degC 104degFJoint pain lower back ankle knees wrists or phalangesJoint swellingRashesHeadachesMuscle painNauseaFatiguePreventionAs this disease is caused by the same species of mosquito that spreads dengue the prevention for chikungunya is the same as for denguendashusing mosquito repellents and nets or sleeping in an airconditioned roomTyphoidCaused by the S Typhi bacteria this is a waterborne disease and can be contracted by the consumption of contaminated water or foodSymptomsProlonged high feverWeaknessAbdominal PainConstipationHeadachesVomitingPreventionTyphoid is a contagious disease and thus in order to prevent it one should keep their hands clean and maintain a clean hygienic environment Other ways to avoid getting infected include refraining from consuming street food and by frequently drinking water and fresh healthy fluidsStomach InfectionStomach infections are caused by the consumption of unhygienic food or fluids Gastroenteritis is a prevalent stomach infection that occurs during this seasonSymptomsLowgrade feverNausea vomiting or bothAbdominal cramps and painDiarrhoeaPreventionStomach infections can be avoided by drinking boiled water and refraining from eating stale food or eatables left out in the open for a long timeCholeraCholera is a common bacterial disease during the monsoons and is caused due to the consumption of contaminated water or food prepared with such water This contamination is caused because of a bacteria known as Vibrio Cholerae It can also be caused by poor hygiene and sanitation It is important to identify the disease as soon as possible and begin treatment as cholera can turn fatal within hoursSymptomsDiarrhoeaLow blood pressureThirstMuscle crampsRapid heart rateDry mucous membraneLoss of skin elasticityPreventionThe best way to prevent cholera is by eating homecooked food Raw fish salads and uncooked vegetables should be avoided Since it is a waterborne disease keep in mind to consume only bottled or boiled waterCertain weather conditions such as a sudden drop in temperature and humidity may affect the immune making the body susceptible to diseases It is imperative that we take appropriate preventive measures to avoid falling prey to these ailments especially during monsoonsBy Dr Hakimuddin Pardawala ndash Physician Saifee HospitalCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates