In India, all share the anticipation of the rainy season to escape the blazing summer heat. However, because of the moisture in the air and the waterlogged roadways, bacterial growth surges during the monsoon season, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and illnesses. 

Raindrops falling from the sky provide a break from the summer sweat. But, contaminated water and poor sanitation can lead to the spread of waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. 

In this article, we have put together some waterborne diseases and how to avoid them during this rainy season. 

Common Waterborne Diseases During Monsoon Season

The monsoon season revitalises the environment and provides relief from scorching heat with fresh rainfall. But it’s not all that rain brings with it. Rainy days also carry an increased risk of waterborne infections and diseases. Here discussed are the rainy season diseases you can contract commonly if not taking adequate precautions: 

• Typhoid: Caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria, typhoid fever is most prevalent among people during rainy days. You might wonder what spreads the infection. Well, contaminated water and food are the major culprits that spread the bacterial infection. If you have symptoms like high fever, abdominal pain, weakness, and headaches, it means you have typhoid, and you should get vaccinated. 
• Cholera: Another infectious waterborne disease that people can easily contract during monsoons is cholera. Caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, cholera is contracted through the indigestion of untreated water or tainted food. Those diagnosed with cholera might suffer from vomiting, dehydration, or severe diarrhoea. 
• Diarrheal Diseases: Many diarrheal diseases, like gastroenteritis, are highly prevalent in the rainy season. Contaminated water sources are the leading cause of diarrheal illnesses. But what contaminates the water sources? It’s bacteria like Campylobacter and Escherichia and parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia that increase the risk of diarrheal diseases.
• Hepatitis A: A viral infection, hepatitis A can affect your liver and spread during the monsoon through unclean water or food. Individuals suffering from hepatitis A usually experience symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain. 

Preventive and Precautionary Measures to Prevent Waterborne Diseases During Rainy Season

Below are the best measures you can follow to prevent water borne diseases during monsoons:

• Use Boiled or Purified Water

All the above-discussed waterborne diseases are mainly caused by contaminated water. During the rainy season, water sources like rivers, lakes, wells, and canals can become contaminated because of heavy rainfall, pollutants, runoff, and bacterial growth. 

Make sure you drink and use clean and purified water to prevent waterborne infections or illnesses. But how can the safety of drinking water be ensured? You can install a water purifier in your home. Alternatively, consider boiling water for at least one minute to remove harmful microorganisms if you are unsure about the quality of the water.

• Practice Good Water Hygiene

Maintaining water hygiene is key to safeguarding yourself from dangerous waterborne diseases on rainy days. You should wash your hands thoroughly with clean water and soap after using the restroom, before preparing food or eating, and after handling any potentially infected object. A study published in the Lancet says that washing hands with soap can reduce the risk of contracting diarrheal diseases by at most 48%.

What more can you do to preserve your health this monsoon? Many people think of avoiding bathing on rainy days. It's the biggest mistake you should avoid. Instead, you should bathe daily using clean water. Moreover, make sure to dry yourself thoroughly by avoiding wearing wet clothes or footwear, as it creates a breeding ground for bacteria. 

• Consume Healthy and Hygienic Food

Besides contaminated water, the rainy season is also a time when food is highly contaminated. So, to reduce your chances of contracting water-related infection or illness, you should have fresh fruits and vegetables that are thoroughly washed. In addition, make sure meat, eggs, or other poultry goods are properly cooked. 

Understandably, you crave to have luscious, spicy junk food on rainy days. However, such food can cause life-threatening infections. So, you should also avoid having street or processed food and unhygienic eateries during monsoons.

• Keep Your Surrounding Areas Clean and Free from Stagnant Water

Having stagnant water around is common during the rainy months. Unclean areas and stagnant water create an environment conducive to mosquitoes that carry diseases like malaria and dengue. 

Therefore, you should prevent stagnant water from accumulating near your home and keep the surrounding areas clean by clearing and cleaning drains, containers, and gutters. Another thing you can do is covering containers and sewages properly.

• Maintain Clean Water Storage

Proper storage of water during monsoons is key to prevent contamination. Make sure the water containers you use are clean, covered, and placed in a hygienic location. Also, you should regularly clean and disinfect these containers to eliminate the chances of bacterial growth. 

A study by the Indian Journal of Public Health discovered that approximately 80% of water samples collected from household water storage containers were contaminated with bacteria during monsoon season, which leads to fatal rainy season diseases.

• Always Use Properly Constructed Pit or Sanitary Toilets

Apart from bacteria, pollutants, and water runoff, improper disposal of human waste can contaminate nearby water sources and, thus, contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases. If you live in areas where there is limited access to proper sanitation facilities, use sanitary or properly constructed pit toilets to reduce the risk of waterborne infections and illnesses.

All-in-All

As the monsoon season draws near, taking simple precautions will help avoid infections and diseases brought on by tainted water. Boiling or purifying water, preventing water from stagnating, consuming hygienic food, practising good water hygiene, and keeping water storage containers clean are some crucial steps to preserve your health.