Heavy rains continue to batter Kerala. Public life has been thrown out of gear as houses, roads, public infrastructure and buildings are overflown with rain water. Come rain, come ailments. Every monsoon heralds a season of dengue, typhoid, infections and fevers. Mosquitoes, bacteria and germs make stagnant water their breeding ground, thus spawning various water-borne diseases. Little do we know that these monsoon-ailments can be avoided through some handy hacks.
Here we list some common water-borne diseases as well as health risks and the ways to secure yourselves.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis or the pink-eye is caused by the inflammation of conjunctiva, the outer membrane of our eyeballs and the inner eyelids. It is generally caused either by bacterial or viral infections. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can assume a large number of patients quickly.
Causes: Washing face with polluted water, water mixed with chlorine, contact with allergic cosmetics and toxic materials, rubbing face with dirty hands or hand kerchiefs, close contact with infected people.
How to prevent: Wash your face only in clear water. Do not wash eyes unnecessarily as human eyes has a self-cleaning mechanism. Avoid close interaction with people having conjunctivitis.
Typhoid
A bacterial infection that causes high fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, typhoid can sometimes be fatal. It is caused by the attack of Salmonella typhi, which is an 'obligate bacteria' that cannot survive outside human body. General symptoms of typhoid are accompanied by gastrointestinal problems in some cases.
Causes: Salmonella typhi spread through contaminated food, drinks and water. Some people exhibit no symptoms other than fever until bacteria multiply uncontrollably within their body. Some may carry the bacteria even after their symptoms are long gone. The disease may recur in the latter group.
How to prevent: Drink purified drinking water. Avoid consuming food materials prepared under unsupervised or unknown conditions. Try to consume cooked food. Peel fruits before you consume. Avoid consuming refrigerated food.
Dengue fever
This is a mosquito-borne disease caused by any of the four identified types of 'Dengue' viruses. They are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, aching eyeballs, exhaustion and rashes are the identified common symptoms of dengue fever.
Causes: Stagnant water sources serve as the breeding ground of mosquitoes. Dengue fever does not spread from person to person. It has to be carried by an Aedes mosquito from a dengue patient to others. Exposure to mosquito bites causes dengue fever.
How to prevent: Empty the ditches, coconut shells and abandoned utensils in your locality which may collect water during rain. Cover drinking water sources to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in them. Dab mosquito-repellent creams or lotions on the exposed parts of your body. Fume a mosquito coil during night.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an infection that spreads from animals. It originates from the urine and faeces of dogs, rodents and farm animals. Though leptospirosis weakens the patient, it has never been reported as fatal. It usually heals within a week with proper medication and rest. Swollen limbs, chest pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and fever are the common symptoms of this disease. Leptospirosis requires hospitalisation.
Causes: The bacterium called Leptospira interrogans, which causes this disease, lives inside the kidneys of animals. It reaches soil and water through animals' urine and gets transmitted to human beings later. Direct exposure to soil like touching soil with bare hands and walking without slippers can cause the bacteria to enter your body. It can also enter your body through nose, mouth, genitals and ears while cuddling or bathing your domestic/pet animals.
How to prevent: Avoid direct contact with flood water as it may carry the bacteria causing leptospirosis. Secure your pet/domestic animals from accessing the flood waters as they may inherit bacteria. Undergo proper medical check-up once the flood settles. Arrange a medical check-up for your animals before resuming usual life with them.
Infections
Cuts and wounds take time to heal during rainy season. Germs would flourish in humid weather which might cause infection. A non-healing wound can be a breading ground for bacteria. Most wounds turn infectious from bacteria originating from normal skin, while others get them from contact with infected external channels like air and water.
Risks: Infections can spread through contaminated water and air. Contact with external sources of infectious bacteria, close contact with another person with an infected wound and exposure of an infected wound to a public water source can spread infections.
How to protect: Do not expose your wounds to flood-water as it is a sure source and breeding ground of several types of infectious bacteria. Proper wound-cleansing can reduce 'bioburdening' or multiplication of bacteria. Keep yourself hydrated. Keep wounds dry. Remove bandages as the wounds start healing. Destroy the used bandages, cotton and dressing clothes either by burning or recycling. Do not throw used cotton in public places.
