How Monsoons Remind us of the Importance of Health Insurance

With the arrival of monsoon in India, various diseases also make their way into your lives. Whether it be children or adults, everyone is prone to fall sick at least once in the rainy season. While ordinary ailments like stomach infections, cough and cold are not that severe, if untreated, can lead to major diseases like viral fever, cholera, diarrhea, malaria, dengue, typhoid and chikungunya. Let’s have a look at some of the common diseases that can affect your and your children’s health and their prevention.

• Dengue – Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease, which can be fatal if not treated on time. This disease is very common in the rainy season as the climate is favorable for mosquitoes to breed and multiply. High fever, rashes, muscular pains and low platelet count are some of the symptoms of dengue. Dengue can be prevented if you ensure following measures are in place:
  1. Wear full sleeves clothes which can cover your entire body.
  2. Use mosquito nets when you sleep.
  3. Do not store water for more number of days
  4. Apply mosquito repellents to save yourself from mosquito bites
  5. Use insect-repellent plants like citronella at your home and workplace

•  Chikungunya – This disease is also caused due to mosquito bites, same as dengue, but it is not fatal. Headaches, high fever and joint pains are the common symptoms of chikungunya. The mosquitoes carrying this virus bite in day as well as night time. Chikungunya can be prevented if you follow these safety tips:
  1. Do not store water for longer periods and stay away from stagnant water sources
  2. Use mosquito repellents and protect yourself from their vicious sting
  3. Keep your windows closed or use net to allow gentle flow of air and prevent mosquitoes from entering your house
• Cholera – This is caused due to consumption of polluted food and water. It leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration, causing extreme weakness in the body. Cholera can prove to be lethal of not treated on time. Cholera can be prevented via following measures:
  1. Wash your hands and feet with soap or handwash before eating
  2. Drink boiled water
  3. Eat freshly cooked food and keep it covered
  4. Avoid eating raw foods like unpeeled fruits and vegetables
  5. Try to stay inside for longer hours
• Malaria – Monsoons bring with them the toll of malaria, which is caused by the mosquitoes that germinate and multiply especially during rainy season. Deposition of filthy water in the potholes are the main breeding sites of these mosquitoes. The symptoms of malaria are similar to flu - high fever, chills, sweating and fatigue. Malaria can be prevented via following measures:
  1. Do not allow water to get accumulated in one place
  2. Use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets
  3. Wear clothes that cover you from top to bottom
  4. Keep your surroundings clean

• Jaundice – The yellow coloration of the skin and eyes accompanied with fever and weakness is the indication of jaundice. Speaking technically, jaundice is caused due to inability of the liver to utilize bilirubin present in the blood. Consumption of street food mainly fried and oily snacks, mixing of dirty water with clean water in monsoon causes jaundice. Jaundice can be prevented via following measures:
  1. Avoid eating pre-packaged food
  2. Stay away from fried and oily snacks
  3. Drink boiled water
• Fungal Infections – Fungal infections are very likely to irritate you and your little ones as the humidity increases in the atmosphere during rainy season. This can cause continuous scratching, rashes and redness on your skin. Fungal infections can be prevented by:
  1. Using anti-fungal powders in sensitive skin areas
  2. Keeping yourself dry
  3. Maintaining adequate hygiene

• Leptospirosis – This disease spreads through the urine of infected animals or by the use of soil and water which is fouled by the urine of infected animals. Bleeding, high fever, red eyes, muscular pain and vomiting are major symptoms of this disease. Leptospirosis can be prevented by paying attention to these measures:
  1. Cover your bruises and wounds
  2. Do not step in dirty water
  3. Stay away from infected animals
  4. Wear clean and fully covered clothes

Prevention is always better than cure, and we hope these precautionary measures help you beat the illnesses that the rains bring. But despite taking all possible measures, it is still possible to fall prey to these diseases. For all those unexpected bouts of ill health, get yourself the most beneficial health insurance policy from Bajaj Allianz.