Monsoon Health Alert: Protecting Children from Common Illnesses During the Rainy Season

As the monsoon season approaches, it's essential to pay special attention to children's health. The rainy season brings with it a host of health risks, including malaria, dengue, fever, cold, cough, joint pain, high blood pressure, and skin irritation. Moreover, the onset of rainfall increases the risk of food and waterborne infections. Children are particularly vulnerable to these health risks due to their developing immune systems.

In an interview with Boyfriend TV, doctors emphasized the importance of proper nutrition, hygiene, safe drinking water, balanced diet, and timely vaccination to prevent infectious diseases. They advised parents to give their children boiled and filtered water, avoiding direct consumption from taps, as contaminated water can lead to diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, and jaundice.

During the monsoon season, children are prone to common illnesses like cold, cough, fever, skin diseases, and hand-foot-mouth disease. To prevent these, doctors stress the importance of hand hygiene, cleanliness, and a clean environment. Nutritionist Prof. Deepavali Wagh advises washing all vegetables and fruits thoroughly before consumption, using saline water to clean them. Raw or undercooked food should be avoided, especially for young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

Dr. Arun Mondhe noted that during the monsoon, the digestive system of both children and adults slows down, making them more susceptible to water and foodborne pathogens, which can cause diseases like gastroenteritis, typhoid, diarrhea, and jaundice. Respiratory infections like cold and cough also increase during this time. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet is crucial, just like taking medication.

Prof. Deepavali Wagh recommends consuming seasonal vegetables and fruits, which are lighter and easier to digest. She advises avoiding heavy, fried, and spicy foods, opting for fresh, home-cooked meals instead. A balanced diet with four essential nutrients – vitamin C, iron, vitamin D, and zinc – is vital for building immunity. Only clean, fresh, and home-cooked food is safe during the monsoon season.

Dr. Jayant Pandharikar, a pediatrician, emphasized the importance of timely vaccination, including rotavirus, typhoid, and vaccines under the national immunization program, to protect against severe infectious diseases. Vaccination is as crucial as nutrition for children. A diet rich in milk, eggs, lentils, green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits, and home-cooked meals should be a regular part of a child's diet. A balanced diet with protein, vitamin A, C, and D is essential for boosting immunity.