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9 months ago Health

Preventing Malaria During Monsoon: A Comprehensive Guide

Preventing Malaria During Monsoon: A Comprehensive Guide

The monsoon season brings relief from the scorching summer heat in India, but it also brings an increased risk of certain health issues. One of the most prevalent diseases during this time is malaria. Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness that can have serious consequences if not prevented and treated in a timely manner. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies for malaria during the monsoon season. By understanding the risks and taking necessary precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this potentially life-threatening disease.

Section 1: Understanding Malaria – Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. In India, the most common types of malaria are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. These parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells, leading to the characteristic symptoms of malaria.

During the monsoon season, the risk of malaria transmission increases due to the stagnant water that provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, making these times particularly high-risk for mosquito bites. It is crucial to be aware of the risk factors and take necessary precautions to prevent malaria.

symptoms-malaria
Preventing Malaria During Monsoon: A Comprehensive Guide

Section 2: Symptoms of Malaria – Recognizing the symptoms of malaria is important for early detection and prompt treatment. The symptoms usually appear 10-15 days after the mosquito bite and may include:

  1. High fever
  2. Chills and sweats
  3. Headache
  4. Fatigue
  5. Muscle and joint pain
  6. Nausea and vomiting

In some cases, malaria can progress to severe illness, leading to complications such as organ failure, anemia, and cerebral malaria, which affects the brain. If you experience any of these symptoms during the monsoon season, it is important to seek medical attention immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Section 3: Prevention Strategies – Preventing malaria is crucial to safeguard your health during the monsoon season. Here are some effective prevention strategies:

Preventing Malaria During Monsoon: A Comprehensive Guide
  1. Mosquito Control:
    • Use bed nets treated with insecticides to protect yourself while sleeping.
    • Install window screens and close doors during dusk and dawn to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
    • Use mosquito repellents on exposed skin and clothing.
    • Eliminate stagnant water around your surroundings as it serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
  2. Personal Protection:
    • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks to cover exposed skin.
    • Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
    • Avoid wearing dark-colored clothing, as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
  3. Malaria Vaccination:
    • Consult with a healthcare professional to determine if a malaria vaccine is recommended for your travel or living situation.
  4. Antimalarial Medications:
    • If you are traveling to a malaria-endemic area, your doctor may prescribe antimalarial medications. Follow the recommended dosage and duration of treatment.
  5. Travel Precautions:
    • If you plan to travel to areas with a high risk of malaria, research and understand the malaria situation in those areas.
    • Take necessary precautions, such as using mosquito nets and repellents, during your travel and stay.
  6. General Hygiene Practices:
    • Maintain good hygiene by washing hands regularly, especially before meals.
    • Ensure proper sanitation practices and dispose of waste appropriately.

Preventing malaria during the monsoon season is of utmost importance for maintaining good health. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies discussed in this comprehensive guide, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from malaria. Remember, prevention is key, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing this mosquito-borne disease. Stay informed, follow the preventive measures, and seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms related to malaria or other monsoon-related illnesses. With proper precautions and awareness, you can enjoy a safe and healthy monsoon season.

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7 years ago Health

Monsoon diseases; Prevention and cure

Have you ever wondered why you have been suffering from a lot of diseases especially during the monsoon? Monsoon is the time when you tend to suffer from most upsetting diseases. If you fail to take care at the right time, then it is normal that you will suffer for a longer duration. This is the time when the germs & infections will attack you the most and you feel more sick and endangered.

The monsoons can prove to be a health menace as there are various diseases that come along with the rains. Monsoon is also the time when you suffer from most general health disorders. And for this reason, it is better to know some of the quick remedies and treatments for you to recover sooner.

We all love rain. Kids and Teenage individuals are more happy to enjoy the rain and they are also at increased risk of being affected by a variety of diseases and other serious health disorders. This is also the season when airborne & water borne diseases easily attack the individuals.

Cold, flu, dengue, water infection, food infection, cholera, and leptospirosis are some of the most common monsoon diseases. Leptospirosis is a condition that is caused by bacteria which carried by either a man or an animal. These conditions can severely affect the kidneys, causes liver failure, respiratory problems, meningitis, etc. these are some of the incurable diseases that can make you feel really sick and takes quite a long time for complete recovery.

How to treat fungal diseases?

You are at a greater risk of suffering from fungal infections during the rainy seasons. It is advisable to keep your body dry especially during these times. Keep those parts of your body that tend to get sweatier in time. The areas between two toes, areas behind your knees and elbows are the ones that tend to get sweatier easier.  You can make use of anti-fungal powder as this will help in soaking the sweat at specific areas. If you feel your condition gets worse over time and the infection spreads throughout your skin then it is advisable to consult a physician.

Dengue-the most common monsoon disease:

The most notorious monsoon disease carried by the Aedes mosquito which is a daytime biter, is the dengue. Dengue is the most common monsoon disease and its germs are often carried by mosquitoes. Most of us have a chance of suffering from dengue during the monsoon seasons. Some of the usual symptoms of this disease are body ache, joint pains, body rashes & fever.

Symptoms:

  • You might develop high fever within 4 to 7 days of the mosquito bite.
  • Skin rashes
  • Muscle & joint pains
  • Pain behind the eyes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bleeding gums

The mosquito that is responsible for causing dengue is the tiger mosquito.  So some of the preventive measures to protect yourself from being affected by dengue include, applying mosquito repellents creams all over your body, wear clothes that fully cover in order to prevent the mosquito from biting.

Typhoid- the usual monsoon disease

One of the common monsoon diseases is typhoid. This is mainly caused due to the consumption of unclean water. It is mainly due to consumption of food & water contaminated by bacteria Salmonella typhi. This bacteria can survive in water or sewage for several weeks and usually enters the body through faeco-oral route. This is why you should ensure that the water and food that you intake should be free from contamination. Improper sanitation can also cause this disease. When you suffer from typhoid, you will suffer from fever, headache, sore throat, pain and general illness.

 

The best way to stay protected is to wash your hands well before eating. Do not eat food and water that are not of best quality. Avoid street side foods during this season as these foods will not be hygiene and can increase the risk of food or water borne diseases.

Cholera:

Cholera being the most common monsoon disease is not just a diseases, it is a deadly ailment that will make you suffer at your worst. You are at high risk of suffering from cholera if you don’t practice right hygiene habits as they are mostly caused by contaminated food & water. It is spread through food & water contamination by human feces & is swiftly carried away by flies and thus is common in areas of poor sanitation. Though it can be easily cured, it might turn deadly if left untreated. It is best to drink clean food & water and it is essential for you to stay healthy and clean always.

Symptoms

  • ¨ Severe diarrhea or constipation
  • ¨ Vomiting or nausea
  • ¨ Dehydration
  • ¨ Muscle cramps due to dehydration
  • ¨ Rapid weight loss
  • ¨ Low blood pressure
  • ¨ Loss of skin elasticity.
  • ¨ Dryness in the inside of the mouth, eyelids, & nose

Jaundice:

Jaundice is yet another common monsoon disease that you are about to suffer from during rainy seasons. It is a viral disease and is caused by contaminated food & water. The common symptoms of suffering from jaundice are that you will feel extremely weak and the color of your urine changes to dark yellow. You may also develop a tendency of vomiting and improper functioning of the liver. It is best to drink boiled water and avoid eating foods from roadside streets & shops. This is the time you need to consume plenty of water and this will help your body fluid to stay absolutely normal.

Malaria:

Malaria is one of the severe diseases which were an issue of the epidemic a few years ago. Malaria is carried by female anopheles mosquito, which is an evening and early morning biter. These days the treatments for malaria have improved so much and people are finding ways to recover sooner.

Symptoms:

  • Severe fever within 72 hours of the bite
  • Body ache, sweating and cold symptoms
  • Symptoms of diarrhea & jaundice

Water logging and breeding of mosquitoes are quite common during the monsoon season. One may be affected by malaria prone mosquitoes during the rainy seasons.

Diarrhea:

Once the summer season is gone, the weather condition improves & become soothing. This triggers us to have spicy foods. But, we fail to think of the water-borne diseases that spread during the monsoons. Water-borne diseases are common during the monsoons. Hence, you must be really careful with the food that you consume during the rainy seasons. It is better to avoid street foods as the chances of spreading diarrhea are more common with this.

Viral fever:

Viral fevers have become more common these days. Viral fever is the most common medical sign that is characterized by an elevation in temperature above the normal range of 36.5-37.5 degree Celsius. In fact, viral infections are more common than bacterial infections. It is common to see your kids suffering from viral fevers during the rainy seasons. Sometimes, these fevers may last for a few weeks. This is an indication that your child is suffering from viral infection. You must be very careful about your child’s eating habits and other day to day activities. This will make you feel feeble and weak.

Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Joint pains
  • Running nose or nasal congestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Cough or a sore throat
  • Burning sensation in eyes
  • skin rashes

Viral infections are caused by invasions of various diseases causing viruses into the host’s body. These infections have the ability to affect various parts of the body at the same time. The humidity that occurs during the rainy season makes it easier for the infections to be carried from one person to another. These infections majorly affect those people with weak immune system.

Eye infections:

Eye infections caused by viruses are mild and usually resolve on their own. It includes conjunctivitis often called as pink eye. This affects the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids & the eyelid margins.

Symptoms

  • Gritty feeling in the eyes
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Irritation in the eyes
  • Itching of the eyes
  • Discharge from both eyes
  • Chances of blood clots around the corner

Precautions:

  • ¨ Avoid junk foods & maintain a hygienic diet.
  • ¨ Take plenty of fluids
  • ¨ Detect early signs of weakness to begin treatment
  • ¨ Keep yourself clean & hygiene
  • ¨ Make sure you wash your hands with effective disinfectant before bringing in contact with the eyes as it might cause infection
  • ¨ Carry a sanitizer and apply it before the meals

Fungal infections:       

Fungal infections are caused by a fungus, a type of microorganisms. Specific areas of the skin such as areas under the armpits and spaces between the two toes often remain moisture, especially during the monsoons. These become ideal grounds for such infections.

Symptoms

  • Peeling, cracking, and scaling of the skin
  • Redness of the skin
  • Formation of blisters
  • Softening or breaking down of the skin
  • Itching, burning, or both

 

Precautions

  • ¨ Keep your body dry.
  • ¨ Change wet undergarments and switch to cotton ones, as they allow the skin to breathe well
  • ¨ Wear sandals to air your feet
  • ¨ Allow damp hair to dry before you tie them again
  • ¨ Bathe twice a day and add a few drops of lemongrass, Neem or mint extracts to your bath water to fight against fungal infections

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