After short spell of rain, doctors warn against infections, water-borne diseases

While a dip in the temperatures favour the spread and growth of pathogens, patients with pulmonary issues can witness exacerbation. Though fever and cold becomes common with seasonal changes, doctors warn that contagious diseases are likely to rise during the rainy season.

Water-borne diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and cholera are caused due to contamination of water, especially among children. Contaminated rainwater leads to skin infections, rashes and athlete’s food in most of the patients.

“Pollutants and other germs surface after the first showers of rain leading to an increased risk of allergies, asthma and other pulmonary diseases. Asthma patients and people suffering from COPD can have exacerbated symptoms leading to difficulty in breathing. Exposure to rainwater should be avoided by such patients at least during the first few showers,” said Dr Ranjith Veeramani Thangavelu, senior assistant surgeon at GH of Thoracic Medicine.

Rain can also lead to water-borne diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and cholera, especially among children. “Children are easily exposed to rainwater while playing or going to schools and there are a greater number of cases of acute diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, viral fever and flu with the onset of the monsoons. Food items consumed from the roadside are harmful either due to the use of contaminated water or exposure to the rainwater. Even while walking on the roads, children are easily exposed to contaminated water,” said Dr Mohan Kumar, paediatrician, Institute of Child Health.

Medicos advice that drinking water should be boiled before consumption, while fruits and vegetables should be washed before being used.