The rainy season may have its charms but it has dangers as well, primarily in the form of diseases such as food poisoning, cholera, cold, cough, flu, poor digestion, jaundice, typhoid and dysentery.
There are simple precautions we can take to stay in peak health condition during this tricky season. Here are some tips..
Wash Your Hands. 
Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the flu sneezes onto his or her hand and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, a kitchen glass. The germs can live for hours only to be picked up by the next person who touches the same object. So wash your hands often. If you can’t get to a sink, rub an alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto your hands.
Don’t Touch Your Face.
Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Touching their faces is the major way children catch colds and a key way they pass colds on to their parents.
Keep yourself hydrated.
In monsoon, sweat does not evaporate quickly as the humidity levels are high and this prevents the body from releasing heat. Therefore, keeping a bottle of water handy is always advisable. Avoid carbonated drinks as they reduce mineral levels which stop the enzymes from functioning efficiently resulting in indigestion. Instead drink warm beverages such as ginger tea. Always drink boiled and cooled water.
Eat clean, fresh food.
Make sure that you wash all your fruits and vegetables before consuming them, especially leafy vegetables. Steam the leafy vegetables and your cauliflower in order to kill the germs.Eating freshly cooked food is recommended. Soups and stews are helpful, as they are light and nutritious, but filling. Try and eat cooked food instead of uncooked vegetables and salads, unless they are organic.Contaminated food might lead to illnesses such as jaundice.Avoid eating street food or food served in an un-hygienic place.Snacks like chaat, sandwiches, fried items, golas, juices and kulfis are very tempting during monsoon. However, they may contain bacteria which cause indigestion. Cut fruits sold on the road side are the main cause for food poisoning and should be avoided.
Balanced Diet.
It is important to note that your body immunity is weak during rainy season, and it is important to eat a balanced diet. Take vitamin-C supplements or fruits containing Vitamin-C , Since Vitamin-C helps in fighting against viral and bacterial diseases.Garlic, pepper, ginger, asafoetida (hing), jeera powder, turmeric and coriander help enhance digestion and improve immunity.
Avoid walking in the dirty water during the rains.
The dirty water is a breeding ground for various viral and bacterial infections. Keep your shoes and socks clean.Keep antiseptic liquids like dettol or savlon handy and use for washing off mud or dirt that usually gets splashed around. Don't just wash your hands but also your feet to avoid itching, rashes and skin infections.Diabetics must take special care of their feet. Always keep your feet dry and clean.
Avoid Mosquito bites.
Most of us take precautions against mosquito bites after dusk but mosquitoes bite both during day and night; mosquitoes that bite in the day are responsible for Dengue and after dusk for Malaria. Preventing mosquito bites during day time is as important as in the night.
Exercise.
Exercise is an important part of your monsoon health care regime and it’s very essential to look at different option to regulate the exercise to stay active, fit and healthy. There are multiple exercise options you can try, if you’re comfortable working out indoors.
Vaccines.
Vaccinations for kids against cholera, typhoid and jaundice (Hepatitis A) can be taken as a precautionary measure as this season is prone to epidemics.
Special attention during monsoon are required for the elderly. Avoiding walks in the parks immediately after a downpour or in places where rainwater forms puddles is advisable. This might lead to falls on slippery areas leading to serious injuries. Also, try and stock medicines for at least a fortnight, just in case you cannot step out of the house due to rain.
So enjoy the monsoon but with care.
