With increasing temperatures, doctors have cautioned against spread of water-borne diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, jaundice and communicable diseases like swine flu and malaria. They said the major threats to health in summers could be prevented by taking care of the water and food, irregularities with which can lead to many health problems.
Randeep Gularia, head of respiratory medicine at the All India Institute if Medical Sciences (AIIMS), said, “It is important to be extra cautious regarding the intake of food items inside and avoiding road side food completely. The common occurrence of diarrhea is due to raw and stale food which a person comes across mostly during summer months. Only properly cooked food must be consumed and drinking water should be necessarily boiled.”
“Hygiene is the first aid kit to keep bay the contaminated diseases. The stored water in tanks and buckets in houses should be covered and changed timely. People should make sure that no rain water is stored around the localities in pots or mud holes. It can serve as a mosquito den causing the outbreak of malaria,” he added.
He said the oscillating temperatures and moisture due to rains in summers causes viral infections like cold, high fever and another common threat being the heat strokes. “The sudden change in temperature from high to very high and humid exposures leads to viral infections. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding unnecessary exposure to sun is suggested especially to the elderly. The elderly have a tendency of getting affected by heat more thus it is advised for them to stay indoors and hydrate themselves while going for walks. For persons working outdoors and students, nutrition is the best thing to beat diseases. The intake of fruits, fresh vegetables and electrolyte is the key to save oneself from any health threats during summers,” he added
“Parents and school teachers must keep a watch on children who usually don’t realise that hyderation is important to keep going during day time. Schools must not allow the children to expose themselves to extra physical exercises through games and sports as it can lead to body cramps and dehydration,” said Vandana Boobna, specialist of Internal Medicine at Max Healthcare.