The unprecedented rainfall that cyclones such as Mandous brought not only disrupted daily activities but also caused increased upper respiratory allergies and infections. Viral infections see a rise during the rainy season when the temperature drops, especially during the cyclones, as the viruses replicate faster.
On December 12, the Karnataka government issued an advisory stating how the recurrent rainfall and the decrease in the temperature will prolong in the coming weeks and has listed a series of measures to adopt to prevent falling sick.
Riya Joseph, 23, a content writer from Bengaluru, tells Happiest Health how weather changes have affected her well-being. “I am prone to wheezing and allergic diseases. The continuous rains in the city over the last couple of days left me feeling under the weather and also triggered my health conditions,” she says. She points out that her symptoms include a runny nose, severe sneezing, sore throat and fever. “I commute to work using public transport. I believe my symptoms have worsened, considering it [public transport] is most often known as a breeding ground for infections and diseases,” she says.
Beat weather changes with clean water and food
“Airborne diseases are common this cyclone season due to the high moisture content in the air, however, one must be careful about contracting gastrointestinal diseases caused by contaminated water,” says Dr Vaibhav Suresh, a preventive health specialist with Fortis Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai.
He stresses that people must consume clean and healthy food. Food should not be reheated or kept unattended for a long time, as the chances of the food getting spoilt are high. “We must also ensure that we drink clean warm water. Drinking mineral water also helps,” he says. In addition to this, he also specifies that people must follow the weather forecast before travelling to any region during cyclones.
How to safeguard kids during cyclone
With a dip in Bengaluru’s temperature, children are prone to falling sick, says Dr SM Prasad, president-elect of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics and professor of paediatrics at Akash Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru. Hospitals are reporting a high number of cases of pneumonia and acute bronchitis among infants below the age of one.
“They develop symptoms of fever within the first three days, followed by a runny nose and dry cough. On the fourth day, they develop breathing difficulties and could have noisy breathing caused by acute bronchitis,” he says. “Parents must be mindful of the child’s treatment in such cases by providing them with the right kind of medication. If the fever lasts for more than two to three days, they must visit the paediatrician at all costs,” he stresses.
As for infants, Dr Prasad says that they must be immediately taken to the hospital if they show symptoms of noisy breathing or are unable to orally ingest the mother’s milk. He also stresses that people must never force-feed babies. He adds that parents should not give children over-the-counter medicines without a doctor’s prescription as there could be ambiguity regarding the dosage.
Takeaways
Dr Prasad and Dr Vaiabhav recommend the following preventive measures to protect children from viral infections:
- Ensure to use waterproof clothes, shoes or woollen clothes to keep yourself warm
- Maintain hygiene. Avoid stagnant water and protect yourself from vector-borne diseases [infections transmitted through mosquitoes, fleas, ticks etc]
- Consume a rich probiotic diet
- Consume fresh fruits and vegetables to boost immunity
- Wear a mask while commuting through crowded places
- While stepping out, carry an umbrella and wear warm clothes. Wear protective gear in the rain
- Drink warm water and keep yourself hydrated
- Annual influenza vaccinations can help prevent viral infections
