Monsoon Maladies: Diseases that accompany the monsoon showers

Although it is great fun to play and dance in the rain, we are often unaware of the fact that the beautiful season also comes with the silent risk of sickness. People with low immunity, small children and the elderly, easily fall prey to the health issues brought on by the rains.

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The monsoon season is that time of year when the majority of the region receives its average annual rainfall. India's geographical location in the tropical region ensures that the country enjoys the rainy season between June and September.

"The drop of rain makes a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling." As rightly said by Lucretius, the ability to be determined enough to achieve something regardless of the setback could very well be a word of caution to stay alert to the hidden dangers of rains. Some of these are Malaria, Dengue, Typhoid, Chikungunya, Cholera, Diarrhoea, Viral Fever, Jaundice, Influenza, Stomach Infection, Leptospirosis, etc Categorised as Water-borne diseases, Mosquito-borne diseases and Air-borne diseases helps understand the nature of these infections and take suitable countermeasures.

Water-borne diseases

Water, regardless of being the elixir of life, if stored improperly can be harmful and become contaminated. The surveillance systems in India are not yet adequately in place to capture real-time data. However, as per data from WHO (World Health Organization), more than 3.4 million people are affected by water-borne diseases in India, with the easiest victims being children. These waterborne diseases include

Typhoid: Salmonella Typhi bacteria cause typhoid, the reasons for which could be contaminated food, water, poor hygiene or sanitation.

Cholera: caused by strains of bacteria is vibrio cholera. Cholera affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe dehydration and diarrhoea.

Jaundice: Symptoms like dark yellow urine, weakness, fatigue, vomiting, and yellowing of the eyes are experienced during jaundice. Poor sanitation is a major cause of this disease.