Use mosquito net in rainy season: Patna doctors

PATNA: The monsoon rain not only brings respite from prickly heat but also causes waterborne diseases and infections. The most common water-related diseases associated with monsoon are malaria, dengue, hepatitis and gastrointestinal problems and skin infection. The risk of skin infection and fungal diseases also increases due to waterlogging on roads and near residential premises.
According to health experts, open drains and stagnant water give open invitation to waterborne diseases and people should take precautions by using mosquito net, repellent and coils to remain safe.
Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told this newspaper on Tuesday that gastrointestinal infection, diarrhoea and jaundice are some of the common diseases during rainy season. “The increase in moisture level leads to rise in fungal infections. This season is favourable for all kinds of viral and waterborne diseases,” he said.
The PMCH has made three separate wards in medicine department, ICU and emergency for dengue and other diseases. The treatment protocol has been circulated among the medial staff and doctors, he said.
Dr Rajiv Kumar Jha, a general physician at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna, said conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and hordeolum are some of the common infections during rainy season. “People should wash their eyes with normal water and mop it with clean cotton,” he suggested.
Dr Jha said people should maintain hygiene near their surroundings and do not dump garbage anywhere as it may increase the growth of flies and mosquitoes.
Dr A K Thakur, a general physician, said most of the patients with waterborne diseases are generally children because they eat outside without caring about the hygiene of food and water used in meals. It is best if people avoid eating outside during rainy season. “People should drink boiled water and eat homemade food to maintain good health in this season,” he advised.
He said the immunity level of the body is reduced during this time due to change of season. “So, people should take more vitamin C to increase immunity. Diseases like malaria, dengue, filaria, chikungunya and others spread during rainy season,” Dr Thakur said.
Anant Kumar Suman, a resident of Agamkuan, said the civic body should start spraying bleaching powder and fogging to stop the outbreak of waterborne diseases. “But they need to pump out the stagnant water first,” he said.
Shehnaaz of Alamganj said she did not let her kids play outside during rainy season. “It is best if they play at home because they easily get sick with change in weather,” she added.