Common Monsoon Illnesses: Doctor shares tips to protect children 

Monsoons bring much relief after the scorching summer months. As enjoyable as it can be, the dampness and excessive humidity during the season can also cause various illnesses. Children, who have weaker immunity, need to be especially protected from illnesses during the monsoon.

Common monsoon illnesses in children

Dr Meenu Pandit, an interventional pulmonologist, whose son Dhruv is a student at Apeejay Svran Global School, lists some of the most common illnesses that children are susceptible to:

Allergic Bronchitis/rhinitis: Incessant rains lead to the growth of various plants and flowers resulting in a lot of grass pollens. Since kids tend to play around bushes, they are susceptible to allergies.

Flu or flu-like fever: Sudden changes in temperature along with high humidity in monsoons make children vulnerable to various viral illnesses. Some of the common symptoms are headache, runny nose, fever, mild cough, irritation in breathing, irritation in eyes, and irritation in eating.  

Water and food-borne diseases: These are caused by bacteria that grow rapidly in high humidity. Children like outside food and beverages, making them susceptible to food-borne diseases. If one child is infected, it can be transmitted through touch to others in school or when they are at a playground.

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Mosquito-related illnesses: Mosquitoes and other insects are very high in number during the rains. They can cause dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, among other illnesses. Children wearing shorts while playing can get mosquito bites on the exposed body parts.

How to prevent illnesses during monsoon

To protect children from the above-mentioned illnesses, Dr Pandit advises the following:

1.       Children should wear a clean and fully dry uniform to school, making sure it is not contaminated with different kinds of fungi, viruses, and bacteria due to dampness.

2.       They must avoid sharing food and water with their peers in school. Always drink clean water that you carry from home.

3.       Hand hygiene is very important. Instruct children to always clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitisers.

4.       Kids must be vaccinated before the peak flu season.

5.       Children must wear full-sleeve clothes. If it is not permitted in school, they must use mosquito-repellent cream or a patch.

6.       Children must not play on a soggy playground covered with moss and lichen.