Common Illnesses in Children During Monsoon: Tips to Ensure Their Safety During the Rainy Season

The rainy season can have a very bad effect on the health of children, if proper precautions are not taken, it can lead to many diseases, so it is important to be cautious during monsoon to protect the health of children. Monsoon brings relief from the scorching heat, making this season full of joy, but it also brings a lot of challenges for parents, making it difficult to ensure the safety and health of their children.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Amar Bhise, Consultant, PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit), Neonatology, Pediatrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Khardi, Pune, said, “During the rainy season, children are more likely to fall sick as there are changes in the environment such as moisture, humidity and atmospheric pressure. The moisture in the air makes it a perfect season for germs, viruses and bacteria to thrive. This increases their chances of getting health problems like cold, cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, chest pain, skin problems, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal problems, fungal infections, flu, malaria, dengue, chikungunya and typhoid.”

Common diseases in children during monsoon

1. Typhoid: It is a type of infectious disease that can appear especially during monsoons, when there is a high chance of food and water getting contaminated. Symptoms such as mild to severe fever along with diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, rashes and swelling can indicate the early onset of typhoid.
2. Gastrointestinal problems: Contaminated food and water can be the main cause of gastrointestinal problems during the monsoon season. Eating raw or cooked food without following proper hygiene can have a bad effect on your stomach health, causing problems like diarrhea, constipation, gas, indigestion, cramps and stomach pain. Consult a doctor immediately for timely care of your little ones.
3. Dengue and Malaria: Monsoon creates the perfect environment for pathogens like bacteria, germs, viruses and mosquitoes to thrive, resulting in dengue and malaria. It is caused due to the breeding of mosquitoes like female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (dengue) and female Anopheles mosquitoes (malaria) in a humid environment. Your child may have symptoms like high fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, headache, body ache, jaundice, vomiting and diarrhoea.
4. Chikungunya: This disease is caused by mosquitoes that breed in stale and stagnant water. These mosquitoes are often found in damp places like water tanks, drainage pipes, leftover pots, flower pots and tyres. This deadly disease is caused by a tiger mosquito called Aedes albopictus. Symptoms can include pain, high fever, fatigue, nausea and weakness that resolve in a few weeks.

Tips to ensure your little one’s safety during monsoons

1. To protect your children from harmful mosquitoes, avoid going out without applying mosquito repellent on their clothes.
2. Encourage healthy eating habits that include plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, pulses and legumes to strengthen their immune system.
3. Dress your children in appropriate and light clothes like cotton to maintain ventilation and protect them from cold.
4. Advise your children to maintain good hygiene like washing hands frequently with soap and sanitizer before eating or after using the toilet.
5. Keep children hydrated by encouraging them to drink at least 1 to 2 litres of water, especially during monsoons.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor for any questions about any medical condition.