No doubt, Monsoon with its first rain brings a splash of water (long awaited), a bucket full of emotions and lots of cheers all around with smiting smiles on faces. But first rain is also an alarm for some water borne diseases.
A major proportion of all illnesses in developing countries are caused due to water borne infections. Monsoon brings with itself various illnesses like diarrhea, gastroenteritis and even polio. Below given are some of the description and prevention of water borne diseases that can protect you from spoiling your monsoon.
Most common water borne illnesses
Cholera – This acute infection is caused by vibrio cholera bacteria where hygiene and sanitation gets compromised. This can be prevented by keeping special care of sanitation and germ free floors and toilets. Stay away from damp crowded places.
Typhoid –Typhoid also known as enteric fever. It claims thousands of lives every year. Persistent watery stools also called rice water stools, with fever are symptoms of this illness. This infectious fever can be prevented by washing hands at small intervals, by avoiding drinking untreated water avoid poorly cooked food and fruits that are raw.
Polio –polio or poliomyelitis is an infection that occurs in the rainy season. It enters the body from mouth. Therefore the source of this infection is contaminated, unhygienic water or food, and flies. Polio at first step attacks the digestive tract and spreads to the central nervous system and could lead to paralysis of various degrees, aseptic meningitis and in fact death.The prevention starts with Polio vaccination. If given at proper age this vaccine builds great immunity within one’s body that prevents this infection to resurface.
Dracunculiasis – also known as guinea worm disease and is very common in India, Africa and the Middle East. Drinking contaminated water with infected Cyclops is the biggest source of this disease. Cyclops is a crustacean found in fresh water. It can be prevented by avoiding water that is untreated or at least boiled. Purifiers must be kept clean.
Amoebiasis – Amoebiasis is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Unwashed hands or objects as well,if comes in oral contact can lead to this sort of infection. Infection is spread through ingestion of the cyst form of the parasite. It can be prevented by cleaning your water source regularly, washing hands at small intervals, keeping bathroom and other wet areas dry and clean.
Drinking water is the biggest and most common source of most of these diseases. So, keep avoid drinking unhygienic water this monsoon and enjoy to the fullest.
Wish you a happy and healthy monsoon.
