Monsoon: Bane or Blessing?

The monsoon season brings with it a much awaited relief from a long spell of scorching summer heat. However, the cooling showers bring with them the increased threat of a lot of diseases which are particular to the monsoon season. With the onset of the rainy season, the risk of the outbreak of seasonal diseases – especially those which are waterborne – has increased manifold in the twin cities.
People living in the low lying areas and slums are more vulnerable to falling prey to such diseases. Illnesses which spread during this season are generally water borne gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid, diarrhoea and jaundice. The threat of mosquito borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever also rises as accumulation of water in low lying areas promotes the growth of mosquitoes. Eye flu and infections of the foot are also rampant in this season as well as symptoms and irritations such as dryness, spasmodic pain, high blood pressure, gastric disturbances, coughs and colds.
Medical experts told Pakistan Today that apart from naturally diseases and infections, other medical problems which are on the rise in this season include electrical injuries which occur due to water dripping on to live electrical wiring. They added that it would be wise for people to thoroughly check household wiring, switches, and plugs etc. about the house. Furthermore, they added that people should attend to any faults in their electrical appliances at the, earliest as ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.
The experts added, “Also take care of your children who love to splash through waterlogged streets, this could be dangerous. Water logging conceals a lot of rubbish spilling from dustbins, drains and manholes which often contains glass pieces, stone chips, slivers of wood and other substances. These can inflict serious injuries on tender bare feet. Also, there is always an open manhole lurking somewhere to gobble up an unwary child.”
The sudden change in the weather conditions has resulted in a sharp rise in the number of patients suffering from gastroenteritis and conjunctivitis in the federal capital. Talking to Pakistan Today, PIMS Spokesman Dr Waseem Khawaja reported, “PIMS is receiving 60-70 daily visitors suffering from conjunctivitis and 80-90 patients of gastro,” adding that PIMS was fully equipped to facilitate all these patients coming from the twin cities or other adjacent localities.
Khawaja also noted that the monsoon’s climatic conditions were extremely well suited for the growth of viruses such as rotavirus and poliovirus. The PIMS spokesman also added that areas where stagnant rain water pooled were very dangerous and that a proper system to drain away contaminated water in the residential areas should be constructed immediately. He said that this task should be a priority for governments as such pools of water became a breeding ground for waterborne diseases.
Khawaja further noted that diseases like gastro, malaria, skin infections, dysentery, typhoid, paratyphoid, poliovirus, intestinal worms, diarrhoea, cholera and conjunctivitis are on the rise and a large number of people living near the affected areas could be exposed to such disease. “Three patients out of every 10 that come to PIMS these days suffer from either gastro or conjunctivitis.”
Explaining the symptoms of gastroenteritis, Dr Khawaja said that it is a condition which causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, “Diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, and vomiting are the most common symptoms,” he continued. Dr Khawaja advised that people should avoid unhygienic and stale food boil water before usage to safeguard themselves from this disease.
Talking about conjunctivitis, also known as ‘pink eye’, Khawaja said this is common disease that has engulfed the inhabitants of the twin cities with hundreds of people suffering from it. “The severe humidity in the twin cities is the reason behind the spread of this viral infection,” said Khawaja. He suggested people to wash their hands as much as they could as the infection is passed through contact as well rinsing their eyes repeatedly.
“When it comes to eye-drops, patients must contact their physicians first as in some cases there’s no need to use them,” advised Khawaja adding that people already suffering from the infection should rest and take balanced diet, and use dark glasses to avoid direct contact with sunlight. Polyclinic Hospital Spokesman Dr Sharif Astori concurred that the number of patients suffering from gastro and conjunctivitis had increased.
He said one should not shake hands with infected people, avoid using contaminated towels, pillows, mobile phones and other objects that were used by infected people and should not rub eyes and wash hands before going to bed. Astori said the disease’s spread had reached epidemic proportions and could communicate swiftly. There were various kinds of conjunctivitis and usually their symptoms subsided in seven to 15 days, he said. Physicians should immediately be consulted in case of severe itching in eyes, he said.
According to eye specialists, the disease turned dangerous when an infected person rubbed eyes. Other medical experts suggest increase of intake of fresh citrus fruit juices. Sugar cane juice or apple juice are good sources of vitamins, the experts say. Green vegetables that flourish on creepers are good source of energy, while one glass of sweet lemon juice, one or two lightly buttered toasts and a little (50 to 100g) helping of sprouts grams or lentils can make a good sumptuous breakfast, they suggest.
Use of salts and spices should be minimized in this sticky weather. Mint works wonders with digestive system and can be used in various ways. During monsoon, experts add, intestinal functions, along with the digestive system become weak and make the body highly susceptible to infections, therefore people should eat light food and avoid as far as possible too much of spicy and fried foods.
“Do not drink water which is not properly boiled and stored, drinking water should be boiled and properly filtered. It is advised to drink warm water with meals for easy digestion,” they said. “Avoid consuming food that has been exposed for a long time since food which has been exposed for a long time is contaminated with germs. Flies, the most common carriers of germs, cause contamination, so people should remember to cook vegetables well to kill the germ content in them,” they said.
Talking about diabetic patients, medical experts said that they need to take extra care of their feet during the monsoon season. “These patients should take specific care, and shouldn’t walk barefoot since floors are a reservoir of all kinds of germs,” they said. “Asthmatic patients also need to take special care during monsoon and they should ensure that there is no accumulation and seepage of water from the vicinity of their residence as that will cause severe health problems.
They should also ensure that fungus does not grow in the wooden furniture and in other articles like shoes and leather bags,” they advised. In order to enjoy the weather take good care of yourself. Sing, swing and feel the goodness of the cool breeze and rain and keep safe from illnesses. Happy Monsoon!

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE
Medical experts recommend the following precautionary measures should be adopted to stay safe from monsoon diseases:
a Avoid unhygienic and stale food and boil water before usage
a Wash hands as much as possible and rinse eyes repeatedly
a Do not shake hands with infected people
a Avoid using contaminated towels, pillows, mobile phones
a Refrain from rubbing eyes in case of conjunctivitis
a Increase intake of fresh citrus fruit juices
a Use of salts, spices should be minimized and avoid fried foods
a Diabetic patients should take extra care of their feet