Monsoon-related illnesses in kids

The start of rains in the monsoon season gives everyone the much needed respite from the heat. Unfortunately it also brings along a lot of diseases. Children and elderly are the most prone to these infections.

The commonest illness which affects the children and spreads rapidly in the schools and daycare is the flu/ common cold. Swine flu cases also tend to increase in this weather.

The other set of diseases which are on the rise with the rains are the food and water borne diseases like typhoid, jaundice (hepatitis), diarrhea, dysentry, worm infestations and general indigestions. These diseases can take a toll on the child's health and affect their nutrition significantly.

Mosquito borne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikangunya are dreaded by all parents. Large number of children have been affected by dengue in the last few years. It causes high fever, severe body pains, vomiting, abdomen pain. It may also cause shock, hypotension (low BP) and bleeding. Chikangunya along with high grade fever can cause severe joint pains which can last for months.

Certain skin diseases and fungal infections affect children if proper hygiene is not maintained. Have a safe and disease free monsoon season.
Do's for parents to protect children

• Ensure your child is washing hands before each meal, after using toilet and after outdoor play. In case handwashing is not possible provide your child with a hand sanitizer.
• Avoid eating outside food. Freshly prepared home cooked food should be given to children.
• Food once cooked should be properly covered till consumed.
• Green leafy vegetables should be washed thoroughly before use.
• Drinking water should be boiled or filtered.
• When children are playing outdoors they should be encouraged to wear clothes which fully cover their arms and legs. This will prevent mosquito bites.
• You can also apply mosquito repellant creams, bands, sprays, patches etc.
• Any area in your house and surroundings where water is accumulated without being replaced or cleaned daily is a breeding ground for mosquitoes particularly mosquitoes causing dengue fever. Such areas should be immediately emptied and cleaned (coolers, flower pots, certain drains)
• Teach your children to use a tissue for sneezing and coughing into. The used tissue should be discarded in the dustbin. This will prevent the spread of disease.
• Do not send your child to school when he/ she is sick. This allows for early recovery and also prevents spread of the disease.
• Visit your child's pediatrician as soon as possible in case of any illness. Some of these fevers may seem minor at first but could be something more serious like dengue fever or swine flu.
• Do not allow your children to get wet in the rain and immediately change their clothes in case they get wet.
• Enquire regarding swine flu vaccination from your child's pediatrician in case he/ she has not already received it.
• Avoid using damp shoes. They can cause fungal infections.
• Give your child a healthy balanced diet especially fruits, milk, eggs, nuts, to improve their ability to fight against diseases.

The writer is MBBS, MD Pediatrics, Consultant Pediatrician, KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur.

By Dr Preeti Sharma