Monsoon Alert - Preventive actions for common illness

Dear All,




Be Alert, Be Safe: Common Monsoon Illness & Preventive Measures





• Gastroenteritis ( Diarrhea & Vomiting )

Gastro Enteritis (Diarrhea, vomiting) refers to an acute inflammation of the lining of the small bowel and the stomach and is common, both in adults and children. Generally infection arising from contaminated food and water leads to gastroenteritis



Preventive measures

Food & water precaution: Gastroenteritis can easily be prevented than cured by taking simple measures as per details,



• Avoid eating contaminated food in monsoon

• Avoid roadside vendors as very few people have the high immunity to handle the bacterial overload at such places.

• Always wash all fruits and vegetables with hot water before cooking.

• Store food in a place away from insects and flies.

• Hands should be free and clean from dirt and nails properly cut.

• All persons who handle the food should adhere to personal cleanliness and hygiene.

• Keep the kitchen clean and free from dirt and there is no sewerage leak near water pipeline.

• Avoid heavy, salty food as it promotes water retention and bloating.

• Avoid fried foods as they decrease the digestive efficiency.



Safe Drinking Water



• Water should always be boiled or properly filtered through a UV Rays filter or R/O system before drinking.

• Water can be made safe by boiling, chlorination, ozonation, ultraviolet irradiation and by aqua filters, R.O. system etc. For house hold purposes, boiling (15-20 minutes constant boiling), chlorination & use of aqua filters are sufficient.



• Typhoid

Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water or through contact with someone who is infected. Treatment is expensive. Typhoid can be prevented by vaccine.



• Symptoms of Typhoid Fever



 The patient feels weak, chilly and tired.

 Headache, backache, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite are other symptoms.

 Temperature rises and remains high for about 10-14 days.

 It rises in the evening and falls in the morning.

 Skin eruptions appear, tongue becomes dry and gets coated in the central region with white patches, which causes oily taste in mouth.



• Causes of Typhoid Fever



 Poor sanitation, contaminated water and infected milk is main factors responsible for developing typhoid.

 Flies contaminate the food with germs and people carrying the germs can also spread the disease if they prepare or serve food.



• Prevention of Typhoid Fever



 Implementation of anti-fly measures, proper disposal of sewage, boiling or thorough purification of drinking water and pasteurization of milk are some of the preventive measures.



Typhoid Vaccine – Typhoid vaccine is easily available in market & costs only Rs. 100 – 150. Single dose provides protection for 3 years.



• Hepatitis A

Viral hepatitis “A” (Jaundice) common in this season because of eating or drinking contaminated food or water. The symptoms include yellowing of urine, eyes and skin, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue etc.



Hepatitis A can be prevented by hepatitis vaccine & by practicing good hygiene and sanitation.



Hepatitis A Vaccine: Hepatitis A vaccine - Two doses at an interval of 0, 6 month provides lifelong protection. Consult your doctor for vaccination.



• Mosquito menace: - Malaria and dengue fever



• Malaria: The most notorious disease -- Malaria -- is caused by the protozoan Plasmodium spp. (P.vivax, P.falciparum,). The disease is spread by the female Anopheles mosquito that transfers the pathogen from an infected person to a healthy person.



• Dengue fever - is a disease, which ranges from a mild to severe illness. The culprits are viruses and the infection is spread by Aedes aegypti mosquito.



Preventive Measures against Malaria, Dengue fever

o Don’t sleep without bed net, or use any local applicable oint. like odomos or use any mosquito repellent like, All out, Good night, etc.

o Drain water from all tanks on terrace / compound or keep them tightly closed.

o Don’t wear clothes that expose arms & legs.



• Cold & Flu during monsoon season

Due to humidity, viral infections, Respiratory infections (Cough, cold, flu, flu) increases, during monsoon as humidity suits some viruses. These infection are spread by Coughing or sneezing and unclean hands.



To help stop the spread of germs,



• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your hand-kerchief or upper sleeve, not your hands.

• A germicidal breathing mask is quite advisable.

• After coughing or sneezing wash your hands with soap and water or clean your hand with alcohol-based hand cleaner. Alcohol hand prep. Is also effective for disinfection for H1N1virus.