THIS MANSOON SAVE YOURSELF FROM WATER BORNE DISEASES
Every year, the rainy season brings great cheers &celebration. Not only does it provide relief from the severe heat, it also helps to supplement our depleting water resources. On the flip side however, monsoon is also the time when we see a spurt in water borne diseases, which are responsible for causing lot of misery. It is therefore important to learn a little more about the common waterborne diseases & how to prevent them. Common water borne diseases are;- 1) hepatitis A, Hepatitis E 2) poliomyelitis 3) typhoid, paratyphoid 4) gastroenteritis 5) cholera These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms which are transmitted from one person to other through contaminated water. Symptoms: usually patient will complain of one or more of following:- a) loose motions b) vomiting c) abdominal pain/ cramps d) jaundice:-yellowness of eyes, passing high colored urine e) dehydration f) fever PREVENTION:- Observing a few simple precautions mentioned below can help us bring down the incidence of these diseases · Use drinking water from safe source only. Water from shallow wells, ponds, and hand pumps is not normally safe for drinking. · Wash hands with soap and water before and after eating food and also after going to toilet. · Avoid eating cut raw foods like fruits & salads from roadside. · Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed in clean running water before consumption. What is safe water:- Usually water supplied by MCD/ government sources is safe. However during monsoon period it is advisable to take the following additional precautions to purify drinking water. * BOILING:-boiling for 20 mts will destroy all the germs. * FILTRATION: Ceramic filters, RO systems, Aqua guard etc are filtration systems which purify and provide safe drinking water. * In case no other means available we can add a tab of chlorine in 20 liters of water &leave for 30 mts. How safe is it to eat out:- The following precautions should be taken while eating out a) Uncooked foods like cut fruits, salads, curds or any other preparation which has water/ice added to it such as lassi, dahi and raita should be avoided. b) Chaat, gol gappa etc should be avoided. c) Fruit juices from roadside stalls should be avoided. d) Cooked and hot foods like daal, sabzi etc can be taken safely. What to do if we develop loose motions/ vomiting? a) Take plenty of oral fluids like water, coconut water, juices, daal ka paani, nimbu pani etc. b) Take ORS. c) Consult your doctor if symptoms persist ORS:- ORS means oral rehydration solution. It contains sugar & important electrolytes and is used to treat dehydration. To prepare ORS mix one entire sachet of ORS in one liter of boiled &cooled water. You can make ORS at home also by adding one fistful of sugar +3 pinches of salt+1 pinch of baking soda in one liter of water. Other diseases common in rainy season are DENGUE & MALARIA, which are transmitted through mosquitoes and show an increase during rainy season due to increased mosquito breeding. To prevent these * Do not allow water to collect near your house in drains etc. * Water should not be allowed to collect in spare tyres, buckets, pots etc usually found lying on the rooftops of offices and houses. * Overhead water tanks should be properly covered; water used in water coolers should be changed every 4-5 days. Before refilling tank must be cleaned properly. * Periodic spraying of insecticides/larvicide should be undertaken in flats/ houses / stagnant water collections by societies/RWA. * Use wire mesh on windows / doors to prevent entry of mosquitoes inside the house. * Use of mosquito repellent cream. Coils, mats etc is helpful in warding off mosquitoes. * Use of full sleeves clothing is helpful as it reduces the area of exposure to the mosquito. * In case of fever with chills consult your doctor immediately. DR AMITABH KHANNA (Dr Amitabh khanna is practicing senior consultant cardiologist and gen. physician at dwarka.) Contact no- 9810949594, 9210346960
