Posted on: Sep 6, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

5 Essential Tips to Protect Yourself from water borne diseases This Monsoon

Water borne diseases

With the onset of monsoon rains, there is an urgent need to take proper precautions against water borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. Keep a lookout for symptoms such as fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration for these water borne diseases that spread very easily during this season. All you can do for water borne disease prevention is drink boiled water and eat freshly cooked food. Remember, having health insurance and critical illness insurance in place is vital to safeguard your health, especially when the risks of water borne diseases are high.

What are water borne diseases?

Water borne diseases are illnesses that are caused as a result of contaminated water, and their prevalence is very high, mostly during the monsoon season in India. You must be familiar with cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea, which top the water borne diseases list. Recognising water borne disease symptoms like fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea early on is essential. Two major ways to execute water borne disease prevention are clean water intake and good hygiene. Health insurance and critical illness insurance will protect you if these diseases require you to seek medical care.

Signs and Symptoms of water borne diseases

Where water borne diseases are concerned, spotting the signs and symptoms in time can quite literally be all there is to make a difference. water borne diseases can be put on the list of water borne diseases, a catch-all category encompassing cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A, which come in many ways.

Common Symptoms Include:

1. Diarrhoea:

This is one of the most frequent water borne disease symptoms. If you are visiting the bathroom too frequently, that may be a telltale sign.

2. Abdominal Pain and Cramps:

This is the most common symptom, so it is good not to ignore stomach pain at all.

3. Nausea and Vomiting:

You may feel queasy or even vomit, which will help you recognise that you have exposed yourself to contaminated water.

4. Fever:

In most cases, an increase in temperature occurs when the body is initially responding to infection, so keep it in mind this monsoon.

5. Jaundice:

Yellowing of skin and eyes, one of the serious symptoms, usually linked to hepatitis A.

6. Fatigue and Weakness:

Are you feeling tired or weak? This may be a sign that your body is fighting some kind of water borne illness.

In the face of such rampant water borne diseases, health insurance is therefore a must to sustain the expenses that your illness might bring forth. Critical illness insurance offers additional monetary benefits that will help in case of diagnosis of any illness on the water borne diseases list.

How can water-borne diseases be prevented during monsoon season?

Though the monsoon relieves the country of scorching heat, it also brings with it the danger of water borne diseases. Therefore, protecting yourself and your family from these diseases becomes very important, especially when the water borne diseases list includes serious conditions like cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Here are five essential tips for preventing water borne diseases during the monsoon.

1. Keeping Yourself Hydrated with Safe Water

It's easy to forget about hydration when the weather cools down, but proper hydration is important. Make sure at all times that the water you drink is safe. Either boil your water or use a dependable water purifier to safeguard against diseases caused by impure water. If you have concerns about your water supply, it is good practice to have chlorine tablets on hand. Clean water could be the first line of defence for avoiding water borne disease symptoms like diarrhoea and stomach cramps. Of course, proper hydration helps in flushing out toxins, and many immunity-boosting functions depend on proper hydration.

2. Eat Fresh, Home-Cooked Food

As tempting as street food is during the monsoon, it is best to stick to home-cooked meals. With this season, the chance of eating contaminated food increases a lot more than at any other time. water borne diseases are often carried in food cooked with unclean water. So by cooking at home, you have complete control over what goes into your meals and that they are cooked safely. Freshly prepared food keeps away the chances of possible health hazards. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to taste the newest recipes and enjoy good food safely with your loved ones.

3. Boost Your Immunity

The human body has built immunity to protect it from all forms of infections, but it also needs some support from your side. Make sure your diet includes plenty of Vitamin C, which can be obtained from all citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens. Another golden rule to keep your immunity up is regular exercise and managing your stress. Also, follow some of the immunity-boosting measures recommended by the Ministry of AYUSH. Remember, a strong immune system not only helps in the prevention of water borne diseases but also reduces the severity of the symptoms of water borne diseases if you do become ill.

4. Keep Neat and Clean

The simplest constituent of prevention against infestation by water borne pathogens is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water before eating and after visiting the restroom. What may seem to be a very simple habit can reduce most of your potential for acquiring water borne diseases. If you have been out in the rain, be sure to dry off quickly and change into clean, dry clothes. Clean and dress all cuts and wounds to guard against infections. Proper hygiene practices will go a long way in reducing the symptoms of water borne diseases.

5. Ensure You Have Enough Health insurance

While prevention is the best strategy, it is also important to be prepared for any health issues that may arise. Building up enough health and critical illness insurance will cover you against any illness, in particular, those on the water borne diseases list, which you or a family member may catch. Health insurance ensures that you get quality treatment without worrying about its cost, and critical illness insurance may support that further in the event of a serious diagnosis. These insurances put your mind at ease during dicey monsoon seasons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, staying vigilant during the monsoon is key to protecting yourself from water borne diseases. You can significantly reduce your risk by following proper water borne disease prevention measures, like drinking clean water and eating fresh, home-cooked food. Be aware of water borne disease symptoms and act quickly if they appear. Also, having reliable health insurance and critical illness insurance will ensure you’re covered if the unexpected happens.

FAQs

1. What should I do if I suspect that I have a water borne disease?

In the event of any symptom of water borne diseases, such as continuous diarrhoea or high fever, consult a doctor immediately. Diagnosis and treatment should be as early as possible. Also, make sure you are covered by health insurance and critical illness insurance that can help cover your medical expenses.

2. Can I get vaccinated against water borne diseases?

Yes, vaccines do exist for many of these diseases, such as typhoid and cholera. Check with your local healthcare provider about vaccinations that may be relevant to your area and situation.

3. What should I include in my home emergency kit for water borne disease prevention?

Add items such as purification tablets for water, first aid equipment, and some medications for nausea and diarrhoea to your home emergency kit. This kind of preparedness allows you to promptly attend to potential problems.

4. How can I ensure my drinking water is safe during the monsoon?

Always drink the water that has been boiled or filtered to avert contamination. You should immediately stop the practice of consuming water from questionable sources. If in doubt, you can use chlorine tablets or a water purifier. The primary step for the prevention of water borne diseases is always safe drinking water.


Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.


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