Common Monsoon Diseases: Know the Symptoms & Prevention Tips

Our favourite monsoon season is here & so are monsoon related diseases. Most of the monsoon diseases share fever as the common symptom so it is better to keep a thermometer handy & take proper precautions and preventive measures.

Following is a list of 10 diseases that are most common in the monsoon season:

1. Dengue:

One of the most common diseases during monsoon is dengue, which is caused and spread through mosquito bites of Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Symptoms: 

• High fever

• Rashes

• Headache

• Low palette count

• Hypersensitivity

2. Chikungunya:

Like Dengue, Chikungunya is also the most common monsoon disease which is transmitted by the Aedes albopictus mosquito (Tiger mosquito). These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water as there are water cloggings due to rain.

Symptoms:

• Acute joint pain

• High fever

• Fatigue

• Chills

3. Malaria:

Malaria is another common disease caused by plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the infected female mosquitoes (Anopheles). Without proper treatment, malaria can become a severe & life-threatening disease.

Symptoms:

• High fever

• Body ache

• Body chills

• Sweating

4. Cholera:

Cholera is a bacterial disease caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water with the ‘Vibrio cholerae’ bacterium. It can cause death within hours if not treated right away.

Symptoms:

• Low blood pressure

• Muscle cramps

• Rapid heart rate

• Dry mucous membrane

5. Typhoid:

Typhoid is another water-borne disease, commonly caused due to consumption of contaminated food and water with the S. Typhi bacteria. One must refrain from eating unhygienic street food to prevent getting typhoid.

Symptoms:

• Prolonged high fever

• Weakness

• Abdominal Pain

• Constipation

• Headaches

• Vomiting

6. Jaundice:

Many people fall prey to viral infections during monsoon and jaundice is one among them. It is a water-borne disease, which spreads through contaminated food and water. It causes liver dysfunction & can prove fatal if not treated properly.

Symptoms:

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Yellow urine

• Yellowing of eyes

• Vomiting

7. Viral fever:

Viral fever is the most common disease throughout the year but is very frequent during monsoon. It spreads from one person to another through infected droplets & lasts for 3 to 7 days.

Symptoms:

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Weakness

• Body chills

• Muscle, body and joint pain

8. Diarrhoea:

During monsoon, diarrhoea is a wide-spread contagious disease due to poor sanitation & contaminated water. It can be easily prevented by drinking boiled water & maintaining proper hygiene.

Symptoms:

• Loose watery stools

• Abdominal cramps

• Fever

• Bloating

• Nausea

• Blood in the stool

9. Common cold and flu:

The sudden change in weather causes fluctuations in temperature that leads to common cold and flu. It is very common during monsoon season and is a highly contagious disease. 

Symptoms:

• Fever

• Aching muscles

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• Congestion

10. Stomach Infections:

Stomach infection, medically known as gastroenteritis, is a highly common disease during monsoon. It is caused by unhygienic street foods contaminated with bacteria and viruses. It is advised to have home cooked foods, drink boiled water & avoid eating street foods.

Symptoms:

• Low-grade fever

• Nausea, vomiting or both

• Abdominal cramps and pain

• Diarrhoea

How to prevent Monsoon Diseases?

Here are a few preventive and precautionary tips to follow to stay safe from monsoon diseases:

1. Keep mosquitoes away from your home and surroundings.
2. When going outside, use insect repellant and wear full sleeved clothing.
3. Reduce your risk of viral infections by staying away from crowded areas.
4. Drink boiled water.
5. Avoid eating street food & consume homemade food.
6. Make sure your house is well-ventilated at all times.
7. Keep your hands clean by washing them before eating any food.
8. Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth without washing your hands.

We believe in the mantra of ‘precaution is better than cure’. Most of these diseases are highly preventable and can be dealt with easily at home with proper medical attention.

However if you or your loved ones, especially children experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, do not take it lightly & consult your doctor immediately.