Safeguarding children against monsoon ailments

In 294 million households countrywide, this is a time to gear up for the onset of infections and diseases that flourish in the damp, wet environments. Children are especially vulnerable – Kiran Balimane & Cynthia John The bountiful monsoon which has spread across most parts of the country, has cheered farmers worried about incomes, and politicians and the common man apprehensive about inflation indices. But the monsoon season is also a time of floods, landslides, water-logged and pot-holed streets and numerous infections and illnesses. In 294 million households countrywide, this is a time to gear up for the onset of infections and diseases that flourish in the damp, wet environment. Especially in India’s ill-governed and badly maintained cities and towns vector-borne, water-borne, respiratory and other infectious diseases attack vulnerable children prompting frequent down-time, school absenteeism and parental anxiety. In the post-Covid era, many previously common-place and innocuous rainy season viruses have mutated into life-threatening life-forms. According to the laid-back Union ministry of health and family welfare, there is a “marked rise” in cases of illnesses such as gastroenteritis, dengue, and respiratory infections during the current monsoon season. More specifically the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that over 3.4 million people in India are affected by waterborne diseases such as dengue during monsoons. Children with developing immune systems are especially vulnerable to viruses that thrive in the rains. For instance during the month past, Bengaluru, the ICT (information communications technology) hub city has reported a spike in the number of children struck down with respiratory illnesses and early influenza. Dr. Srikanta J.T, who practices paediatric interventional pulmonology at the city’s premier Aster CMI Hospital, told the local daily Bangalore Mirror (August 9) that in 15 days, over 25 children have been treated for influenza at his hospital. “While the weather itself does not cause illness, it creates an ideal environment for viruses to thrive. Over 25 children have been treated by me for influenza with some requiring hospitalisation. Fever, chills, bodyache, dry cough, headache, eye and throat pain, rhinitis and stuffy nose are some of the common symptoms. As schools start and there is significant fraternizing of children, this provides an ideal environment for viruses to replicate, leading to a significant increase in respiratory viral infections, mainly influenza,” says Dr. Srikanta. In our monsoon special cover story, we present advice from well-known pediatricians, health and wellness experts on preventive measures parents need to take to protect children from common monsoon afflictions. Preventive measures According to Jaya Sachdev, a Delhi-based parenting, wellness and life coach, the risk of contracting monsoon infections can be reduced by encouraging children to practice personal hygiene, and parents maintaining a dry and clean home. Her recommendations: Personal hygiene. Teach children the importance of washing their hands frequently with soap and water. Several studies have found that thorough handwashing reduces the risk of diarrheal diseases by 42-47 percent. Instruct and drill children that they should wash their hands (scrub for at least 20 seconds, cleaning the areas between…