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Mumbai Rains: Preparing for monsoon-related diseases

23 August,2019 06:03 PM IST |   |  mid-day online correspondent

Not only do the rains damage the integrity of already weakened buildings and structures, but also promote a host of diseases and create a number of alarmingly dangerous situations

This image has been used for representational purpose only


India has a love-hate relationship with the monsoons. Every year the southwest monsoon winds bring with the bounty of nature as well as a trail of destruction. While the excess rainfall fills our water reserves, they also flood our roads and block our transport networks. Our streets turn into a sea of waste, debris and sewage on account of the waterlogging; making it a source of diseases and other health hazards.

This year, the state of Maharashtra has already recorded 39 rain-related deaths from varying causes like floods, electrocution and wall collapses. Not only do the rains damage the integrity of already weakened buildings and structures, but also promote a host of diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya and zika virus and create a number of alarmingly dangerous situations, with the potential to rapidly become an emergency.

Some of the key symptoms for key diseases during monsoon are given below as a ready reckoner:

Diseases

Symptoms

Precautions

Dengue

Sudden, high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain

  • Don't leave stagnant water lying in or around the house
  • Avoid using hand towels more than a day
  • Use a mosquito repellent

Chikungunya

Headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, rash
  • Keep your house clean to avoid mosquito breeding
  • Clothing is important, wear long sleeved shirts and fully covered pants
  • While travelling use a hotel or room with AC or screens on windows

Yellow Fever

Fever, headache, muscle aches specially in your back and knees, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, red eyes, face or tongue
  • When travelling always take vaccination to prevent yellow fever

Typhoid

Poor appetite, abdominal pain, peritonitis, generalized aches, pains, weakness, high fever- often up to 104 F, cough
  • Drink only boiled water
  • Avoid eating food outside during monsoon, specially leafy vegetables and meat, because one doesn't know the source of water used

Cholera

Diarrhoea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, dry mouth, low blood pressure
  • Have a habit of washing your hand with clean water
  • Cook food well and try eating it when fresh

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As such, one must keep the following important measures in mind during the monsoons, to stay safe, while avoiding disasters, injuries, and loss of life:

Indoors

Outdoors

  • Avoid street food and unfiltered water, as these are at very high risk of being contaminated during the monsoons, being in constant exposure to a variety of unhygienic elements.
  • Make sure to be updated on weather forecasts prior to stepping out of the house, in order to be better prepared and avoid unforeseen disasters.
  • Ensure your cell phone is fully charged, in case one needs to call for help in an emergency.
  • Carry rain gear, such as umbrellas, raincoats, rain shoes, and protection for phones and laptops.
  • One must also be extremely mindful of potholes and open manholes during the monsoons, as they are often not clearly visible, and pose a deadly risk to unsuspecting pedestrians.
  • During thunderstorms, one should try to find cover at the earliest, at the nearest building or structure, which is not in an exposed or open area. One should never seek cover under trees or exposed tall structures, as they are conductors of electricity and are also susceptible to lightening.
  • If your vehicle gets stranded on a waterlogged street, please exit the vehicle or the fumes in a locked vehicle may cause asphyxiation.

Following these steps can certainly help avert most disasters during this season, however in case of any medical emergency one should immediately contact an Emergency Medical helpline like 104 or 108 for an Ambulance transfer. These ambulances are fully equipped with trained Paramedic on board to stabilize the patient till they reach the nearest hospital. To ensure the entire experience for the customer from making the call to reaching the hospital is managed by professional organization like Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd. (ZHL) over a decade.

By -

Dr. Santosh Datar, Medical Director and Consultant Doctor, Ziqitza Health Care Ltd.

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