8 Common Diseases That Your Child May Encounter During Monsoon

The rainy season is often a time of anxiety for parents due to the stagnant waters and humidity levels. It is a time when children suffer the most because infections such as diarrhoea, the cold and flu, and fungal infections are widespread.

While there are some common diseases that your child may encounter during the monsoon season, there are ways you can overcome them. This blog post will guide you in protecting your child from these common diseases and offer them a happy rainy season.

Eight Common Illnesses that Your Kid May Encounter During the Rainy Season

There are several common rainy season illnesses in kids that can be prevented by following some simple guidelines. Here are eight of the top common ones:

1. Common Cold and Viral Flu

The rainy season means the onset of the flu and cold. No parent, child, or sometimes even grandparents are safe when one gets a cold. In addition to direct contact, living close to one another can also spread the common cold.

• Caused by abrupt temperature changes

Sudden temperature changes are frequently the cause of the flu and the common cold. It can be hot and muggy one moment and then cool and damp the next.

• Symptoms and basic prevention steps

Some symptoms of the cold are a blocked nose, coughing and a sore throat. If it is the flu, then your child may have a slight fever. The best way to prevent these monsoon diseases in children is by reducing their contact with infected people and teaching them to wash their hands properly.

2. Diarrhoea and Stomach Infections

Children's stomach issues usually begin with the start of the monsoon season. Eating nutritious food and drinking clean water can help in preventing it. But it can be tough for parents, especially when all the delicacies are so easily available on the streets.

• Result of consuming contaminated food or water

The monsoon season brings with it a risk of eating unhealthy food or drinking contaminated water. These unhygienic scenarios lead to stomach infections and diarrhoea.

• Signs, hydration tips, and treatment basics

The main signs of stomach infections and diarrhoea are dehydration and loose motion. You need to ensure that your child stays hydrated during this time and has light food made at home. You also need to talk to your doctor immediately to start your little one on antibiotics.

3. Dengue Fever from Mosquito Bites

One of the worst rainy season diseases in kids is dengue fever, caused by mosquito bites. This disease can be deadly for children when not treated right away, so as soon as you see a spike in your little one’s fever, contact your doctor.

• Caused by stagnant water and mosquito breeding

Dengue is mostly caused by stagnant water and the breeding of mosquitoes in those puddles. It is generally spread when water is left to stagnate, which later becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

• Symptoms, how to prevent, and warning signs

If your child has dengue, then they will have symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and extremely high fevers. Remember to keep your home and surrounding areas free from standing water to avoid transferring the disease. You can also request your local municipality to spray mosquito repellent or spray repellent on your child when you go out.

4. Malaria from Infected Mosquitoes

Another mosquito-borne common disease that your child may encounter during monsoon is Malaria. This is spread by the Anopheles mosquito and can be quite dangerous when left untreated.

• Spreads by Anopheles mosquitoes

The parasite that causes Malaria is often spread by the female Anopheles mosquito. It can also be transmitted from mother to her unborn baby, and even through blood transfusion and organ donation.

• Protection tips and fever patterns monitoring

If your baby is afflicted with Malaria, then your baby will have a high fever, chills, headache, and vomiting. So, do not forget to drain any still water from your vicinity and apply child-friendly mosquito repellents so that your infant remains safe.

5. Typhoid Due to Unclean Water or Food

Typhoid is a highly fatal disease that is spread through the consumption of unclean food and water. If your child does get the disease, then you need to start them on a course of medication as soon as possible.

• High fever, weakness, and stomach pain

Typhoid is instigated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi, which causes high fevers, weakness, and pain in the abdomen. If not treated, Typhoid can result in bleeding of the intestines and even death.

• Avoid raw food and promote hygiene

To avoid the disease, it is advisable to avoid the consumption of raw food during the monsoon months and maintain good hygiene. You can instruct your children to wash their hands before each meal and to eat with clean utensils.

6. Skin Infections and Rashes

Skin rashes and infections are among the most frequent illnesses that children acquire during the monsoon. It is because it is a humid period and rain water tends to pool on the skin.

• Fungal or bacterial problems in moist skin folds

As kids play in the rain, dirty water tends to pool in the folds of their skin. So, if they do not clean themselves properly after coming back home, it can lead to fungal or bacterial skin infections.

• Dry and clean skin tips

As parents, always teach your child good hygiene practices - wipe them down with a dry cloth and keep them dry during these humid months.

7. Ear and Eye Infections

Monsoon brings with it lots of fun moments, such as getting wet in the rain, enjoying hot pakoras, and having no school days. But it also brings with it ear and eye infections that can cause your child pain and irritation.

• Irritation due to humidity or unclean hands

These infections are mostly caused by the humidity and are spread by unclean hands. Children keep touching things and then rubbing their eyes or ears, which is how the infection spreads.

• Symptoms to monitor and home care basics

If you see your child constantly scratching their eyes or ears, or if their eyes are red, then contact your doctor. It might be the start of an infection.

8. Pneumonia or Bronchitis Risk

Children in the monsoon season are susceptible to coughs and colds. When these are left untreated, they can cause breathing issues.

• In addition to cold and wet exposure

The cold and humid weather can cause children to get illnesses such as the common cold. But if they are not treated properly, then it can turn into conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Breathing symptoms and requirement of doctor visit

If you are experiencing that your child is having difficulty breathing or is indicating distress, then you must visit your doctor immediately. If further needed, you will have to give your child antibiotics. It is better to keep them away from dust and smoke.

How to Protect Children from These Illnesses?

Our list of common diseases that your child may encounter during monsoon is a perfect guide to help you not only learn the symptoms but also why and how it is spread. You can protect your little ones from these illnesses by:

• Clean water and a balanced diet

Your child should be eating a well-balanced diet and should be drinking water from a clean source. You can also give your children boiled water that has been cooled down to a normal temperature.

Try to keep them away from street foods and anything cold to prevent illnesses. You can also make them have some medicinal herbs, such as Tulsi and neem, during the rainy season to prevent any diseases.

• Mosquito protection and hygiene maintenance

Mosquitoes are one of the major causes of the spread of illnesses during the monsoon season. So, keep your child away from areas where water stagnates.

If you are planning to go out, then use mosquito repellents that are safe for children. Also, always make sure that your child is dry and clean to reduce any exposure to illnesses.

• Immediate attention to early symptoms

‘Well begun is half done’ - is an anecdote that all parents should follow. If you see the signs of illness, it is best to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Also Read:

1. 7 Common Childhood Illnesses and Knowing When to Seek Medical Attention
2. 8 Tips to Keep Your Kids Healthy in This Monsoon
3. How to Travel with a Baby in the Rainy Season?
4. Essential Monsoon Diapering Tips for Rash-Free Comfort
5. How to Keep Your Baby Dry and Comfortable During Rainy Days in Diaper

Conclusion - Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure

When it comes to the health of your children, it is always better to prevent the illness from happening than to look for a cure. To combat the monsoon season illnesses, the best way is to reinforce simple habits in your child. Teach them how to remove any stagnant water or to cover water buckets at home.

So, maintaining hygiene is significant, especially when it comes to children who like going outside while it rains. You should also make sure that your child has the updated flu and typhoid vaccines and get them routinely checked by their doctor.

As parents, it is always a worry to know if the cough is normal or something more. However, it is best to stay alert and understand the symptoms rather than having to fight the disease later on.