Monsoon Illness in Children: 9 Tips to Protect Your Children

Monsoon is the season when there is a breath of fresh air as most of the pollutants get dry and settle. Moreover, everyone gets relieved from the hot and humid weather for quite some time. With the sudden change in weather, our body sometimes is not able to cope with the changes. The elders and especially children can contract diseases like colds, coughs, flu, infections, etc. It is crucial to take precautions for monsoon illness as they can turn into life-threatening diseases if left unnoticed.

Monsoon is the time when the mosquitoes breed and make the person weak and vulnerable by transferring pathogens of deadly diseases, like Malaria, Dengue, etc. We all have seen and heard that a person contracts malaria, influenza, Dengue, and such diseases. The common symptom of all the diseases is high fever, headache, and body ache.

These symptoms might be unbearable for the elders. But just think about children! They are quite vulnerable to such diseases as well. Monsoon is the season when kids get excited. They move out in the rain to play and after that, a series of ailments might begin. It is very important to protect children from monsoon diseases. No matter if the child has gone out in the rain or not, it is good to take care of certain aspects that can help in protecting children from monsoon and help in avoiding flu.

Let us look at certain tips that can prevent infections and make your body stronger and better.

How can the Monsoon Season affect children?

• During the monsoon season, children are indeed susceptible to various illnesses due to factors like increased exposure to rain, humidity, and mosquito-borne diseases. CARE Hospitals, a renowned multispeciality hospital in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children during this period.
• Common monsoon-related diseases such as cold, cough, and flu can seem harmless at first, but if left untreated, they can escalate into life-threatening conditions, especially in children with weaker immune systems. Symptoms like high fever, headache, and body aches are typical manifestations of these ailments.
• The threat of mosquito-borne diseases like Malaria and Dengue looms large during the monsoon. Mosquito bites can transmit these diseases, leading to severe complications and putting children at risk. It is crucial to take preventive measures such as using mosquito nets, applying mosquito repellents, and wearing protective clothing.
• Regular health check-ups and timely vaccinations are vital to ensure children's immunity is strong enough to combat potential monsoon-related illnesses. In case of any symptoms, seeking immediate medical attention can prevent minor ailments from escalating into serious health issues.

Tips for preventing Monsoon illness 

Monsoon brings in a host of illnesses that attack children in many ways. Here are some tips for monsoon diseases prevention:

1. Proper Healthy Diet: Diet is very important when it comes to preventing diseases during the rainy season. It is not advised to eat roadside food during monsoon because the food and water get contaminated. It is important to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, cherries, spinach, etc. Fruits are ideal because they restore energy. The dairy intake must be minimal because the foods containing milk can get infected by germs and bacteria. On the contrary, give your child homemade soups and stews. The soups will give them proper nutrition. Also, green leafy vegetables must be soaked in salty water for at least 10-20 minutes in order to remove dirt from them. Wash them with normal water afterwards.
2. Water: Consuming water must be on the priority list if you wish to protect the child from diseases. Keeping the body hydrated does the majority of the task of fighting the disease your child has contracted. Particularly in monsoons, it is essential to drink boiled water twice a day. Boiled water helps in maintaining personal hygiene and good sanitation. This limits the germs and helps in combating the ailments. 
3. Mosquitoes: Monsoon is the breeding season for mosquitoes. The water gets clogged and remains stagnant, which acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can cause life-threatening diseases. Therefore, make sure that if your child goes out to play, he/she should wear full-sleeved clothes and apply a mosquito repellent cream or gel to keep the mosquitoes away. At home, make sure that there isn’t any stagnant water around. Get mosquito nets as well to protect kids from mosquito bites. 
4. Apt Clothing: It is essential to be prepared for the season before it starts. Get raincoats and other rain gears to protect your kids from getting wet and contracting disease. Buy raincoats, umbrellas, waterproof bags, etc., to stay protected and covered in the monsoon season. 
5. Sanitation: Sanitation is a major factor in keeping diseases away. Keep your kids clean by making them take a shower of warm water. A warm bath proves to be relaxing and hygienic. Use an antibacterial soap and add an antiseptic to the water to make it clean and wipe out all the germs. After the child takes the bath, dry the hair so that he/ she doesn’t catch a cold. 
6. Rest: Rest is very important for the child. Make sure your child gets enough sleep. A cranky child is more prone and vulnerable to diseases.
7. Home Remedies: If your child has contracted monsoon fever or illness, it is essential to follow some home remedies in order to get well. For instance, turmeric milk is antibacterial and combats many diseases. Also, gargling with warm water aids with indigestion and a sore throat. Drinking herbal teas is also a good option when it comes to healing body aches, headaches, fever, etc. 
8. Precautions During Playtime: Kids love playing in the monsoon. Do not stop them from playing in the rain. On the contrary, take some preventive measures that protect them. For instance, change their clothes as soon as they get home. Help them take a hot water bath and after they are done with it, give them homemade soup or herbal tea. This will help protect the child and prevent them from contracting diseases that might be contracted because of outside playing. 
9. See a Doctor: You must know when to see the best pediatrician in hyderabad. If the child is not recovering from home remedies, it’s time you visit the doctor. Cold and cough are common diseases during monsoon. They can be treated at home. But if you find the symptoms increasing, then it is essential to give your child some medications. Do not ignore the symptoms and visit the doctor immediately if the child isn’t getting any better!    

So, these are the nine tips that must be followed during monsoons to keep germs and bacteria away from the child. It is essential to take care of your child’s health, especially during monsoons because this is the time when there is an increase in water-borne diseases and mosquito-borne diseases. 

By following such health tips for monsoon season mentioned above, you can ensure that elders, children, or even everyone will remain healthy.