Watch out, the monsoons are here. And so are the bugs and the bacteria!

Have you ever looked up, mouth wide open during a downpour to catch refreshing raindrops? Wasn't it fun as a child to stomp in puddles, only to have your mom or dad scold you for getting water into school socks and shoes?

Yippee! It's the monsoon season. The rascal in us beckons to 'let go' and enjoy the rain showers and be carefree. Why worry that this rainy season reduces our body's immunity, making us vulnerable to a world of infections?

The monsoons that give us sustenance also give rise to malaria, jaundice, typhoid and cholera germs by helping them thrive. This is besides the dampness bringing on common cold and cough.

But don't panic. A few precautions during this time of the year can go a long way in keeping these infections at bay.

Waterborne illnesses

The maximum infections during this season are water-borne. So:

• Carry clean drinking water, wherever you go. We recommend boiling the water for at least 10 minutes, to destroy the disease-causing organisms.
• Opt for beverages with no added ice cubes. The weather is cool anyway.
• Opt for packaged beverages, which have been pasteurised. Gulping down juices from street vendors is a strict no-no.
  

Foodborne illnesses:

Food poisoning from e-coli, salmonella and other bacterial infections is very common during this season. Therefore:

• Eat well-cooked and hot food. High temperatures tend to kill these bacteria.
• Avoid eating raw and uncooked food outside, such as salads, fruit etc.
• Throw out food which has a strange odour or is moldy.
• Eat at restaurants that are known to maintain hygienic conditions in their kitchens.
• Wash leafy vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, spinach etc thoroughly, as tapeworm infections through consumption of these is very common.
• Avoid seafood, as contamination and poisoning are common.
  Wash all fresh fruit and vegetables well with clean water before chopping.
• Avoid raw eggs and use only those with intact shells. Any cracks in the shell and the egg should be discarded.

Be cautious

• If you are diabetic, take extra care of your feet during the monsoon season and avoid walking barefoot, at all costs -- diabetics take longer to recover from infections and their feet are particularly vulnerable.
• Asthmatic patients should ensure their immediate surroundings are allergen-free. Look out for fungi that grow on wooden furniture and other articles like shoes and leather bags.
• Keep your surroundings mosquito-free. Prevent stagnant water from collecting in open cans, tires and flowerpots, as they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

If you make these small efforts for your own good health, you can truly enjoy the heavenly monsoons.

                                                                                                 courtesy:rediffmail get ahead