Summer:
The Seasonal Diseases of summer include mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, diarrhoea, food poisoning, flu, water-borne diseases like typhoid and jaundice, chickenpox, heatstroke, and sunburn. The increase in temperature in summer helps bacteria multiply, thereby increasing the spread of many bacterial infections.
Avoid these summer diseases by taking the following precautions:
- Ensure that there are no breeding places for mosquitoes around the house
- Wash your hands thoroughly after being in crowded places
- Since food gets spoiled quickly due to the increase in temperature, make sure that leftover food is refrigerated at the earliest
- Avoid eating in unhygienic places, prevent dehydration and ensure you drink boiled water
- Avoid exposure to viral infections like seasonal flu and chicken pox
- Avoid going out between 11 am and 4 pm as much as possible to prevent heatstroke
- Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn and cover your head and face with a scarf or hat
Winter:
Winter illnesses include colds, coughs, flu, bronchitis, and dry, itchy skin. Most often, diseases of winter, such as Norovirus, one of the most common gastrointestinal infections, are caused by viral infections.
These cold and flu season diseases can be avoided by taking necessary precautions:
- Wear suitable clothes
- Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water
- Avoid exposure to illness at home or school
- Try wearing a mask when in a gathering or crowded places
- Have a balanced, healthy diet to build immunity
If you have a pre-existing lung or respiratory infection, consult a specialist during the change of season.
Vaccination against flu may be considered for people at high risk of getting flu and for those who are vulnerable, such as young children, pregnant women, individuals with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and those over 65 years old.
Moisturise your skin regularly to prevent dry and itchy skin
Parth Vijayvergiya, a vlogger, provides detailed tips on how to survive the cold winters. The top tip, he says, is to layer up and use thermals and boots. He recommends buying warm pads and adds, “When I was in Sweden, while travelling in the Arctic Circle, I had warm pads in my glove and also on my foot, stuck under my foot, so that I would stay warm.
Monsoon:
Along with the rains, the monsoon brings a host of diseases. The dampness, slush, and stagnant water are breeding grounds for a host of organisms and their vectors, causing diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, typhoid, dengue, chikungunya, cholera, hepatitis A, stomach flu, and viral diseases, including viral fever and conjunctivitis.
Many diseases associated with the monsoon, such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, are transmitted through the bites of infected insects. They usually breed in waterlogged places.
Cholera, typhoid, stomach infections, diarrhoea and hepatitis A are water-borne diseases, which usually spread through contaminated food and water.
Viral diseases are typically spread through the air, carrying contaminated droplets of viruses released by infected individuals.
Take the precautions mentioned below to reduce the risk of contracting these diseases:
Make sure that there are no pools of stagnant water. Keep water containers clean and ensure that flower containers and plates do not hold stagnant water.
- Use insect repellents to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
- Wash your hands before eating
- Avoid eating in unhygienic places
- Drink boiled water
- Avoid exposure to people infected with viral diseases
Additionally, it is essential to follow practical steps to help protect yourself, your family, and your community from seasonal illnesses and promote overall well-being during these times. Learn more in the next section!
Public Health Guidance
- Get Vaccinated: Getting the right vaccines is recommended to protect against seasonal flus and other preventable illnesses. They are essential for vulnerable groups, like the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Washing hands regularly with soap and water and using a hand sanitiser when soap isn’t available goes a long way in preventing the spread of germs.
- Stay Home When Sick: If you have symptoms of a seasonal illness, like fever or cough, stay at home to avoid spreading the disease to others.
- Maintain A Healthy Diet: Eat nutritious food rich in vitamins, like fruits and vegetables.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated, especially if you are sick.
- Cover Your Cough or Sneeze: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover coughs and sneezes to prevent droplets from spreading.
- Keep Warm: Dress appropriately for the weather to prevent cold-related illnesses, especially during colder months.
- Boost Immunity: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management can all help keep your immune system strong.
- Seek Medical Advice Early: If you feel unwell, consult a healthcare provider immediately to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
- Follow Local Health Guidelines: Stay updated on local health recommendations and guidelines to prevent seasonal illnesses in your community.
Infographic: How To Keep Yourself Protected From Seasonal Diseases
Now that you’ve learned about seasonal diseases, here are some pointers to keep you disease-free. Simple steps, such as being aware of the seasonal conditions at a specific location, can help prevent the onset of seasonal ailments.
Check out the infographic below to learn how to protect yourself from seasonal diseases.
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Conclusion
Every Seasonal Diseases is dominated by certain diseases that make their presence felt. While cases of malaria, dengue, diarrhoea, typhoid, and sunstroke are reported heavily during the summer, winter commonly brings illnesses such as bronchitis, colds, coughs, and the flu. Similarly, the damp monsoons are conducive to the growth of organisms that cause malaria, diarrhoea, dengue, chikungunya, cholera, hepatitis A, and viral fever, and spring brings with it severe allergic reactions. If you take the precautions for each season listed above, you will likely avoid falling prey to seasonal diseases. Most importantly, eat immunity-boosting foods, keep your surroundings clean, maintain personal hygiene, and drink pure water. In case you do get sick, don’t rush for antibiotics. First, try some effective home remedies that can help boost your immunity and naturally improve your well-being. For example, you can drink ginger tea to treat a seasonal cold. However, seek medical attention immediately if your symptoms do not improve or worsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get sick every time the season changes?
You get sick because of germs, not because of seasonal changes. Unfortunately, the temperature change creates the ideal environment for various types of viruses to develop and spread illnesses.
Why do I get sick every autumn?
Autumn is when many viral illnesses are most prevalent because of the cold weather’s potential to weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. The aged, children, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to viral infections because they can spread quickly during this season.
What is winter fever?
Pneumonia is also known as winter fever. It is a lung infection that causes flu-like symptoms such as high fever, cold, and cough.