Airborne Diseases: Causes and Symptoms During Rainy Season

Causes

During the monsoon season, several factors contribute to the spread of airborne diseases:

1. High Humidity:

Increased moisture in the air can facilitate the survival and spread of airborne pathogens.

2. Heavy Rainfall:

Rain can lead to flooding, creating environments conducive to the proliferation of disease-carrying insects and mold.

3. Poor Sanitation:

Flooding can overwhelm sewage systems and contaminate drinking water, increasing the risk of diseases.

4. Crowded Living Conditions:

People may crowd into temporary shelters, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission.

5. Increased Respiratory Infections:

Cold and damp conditions can lower immune resistance, making individuals more susceptible to respiratory infections.

6. Inadequate Ventilation:

In many regions, buildings may be poorly ventilated, which can trap airborne pathogens indoors.

These factors combined create a conducive environment for the spread of airborne diseases during the monsoon season.

Symptoms to watch out for

Some of the most common airborne ailments during the rainy season are:

• Common Cold and Flu

Symptoms

• Moderate to high fever at regular intervals for 2 to 3 days

• Headache

• Tiredness

• Sore Throat

• Runny Nose

• Coughing and sneezing

• COVID-19

Symptoms

• Fever

• Cough

• Runny Nose

• Breathlessness

• Fatigue

• Pain in the joints

• Influenza

Symptoms

• Nose, Throat, and Lungs Infection

• High Fever

• Body Chills

• Frequent bouts of coughing

• Sore Throat

• Runny Nose

• Body Pain

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Diarrhoea

• Nausea

• Chicken Pox

Symptoms

• Fever

• Headache

• All Symptoms of Flu

• Decreased appetite

• Fatigue

• Rashes and blisters all over the body and sometimes inside the mouth

If you have these symptoms, you should also test yourself to rule out other airborne diseases like whooping cough, measles, tuberculosis, and diphtheria. Talk to your doctor immediately, if high fever and cold persist for more than 3 days.

Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Airborne sickness is mostly caused by viral and fungal infections. You must watch out for the symptoms carefully and get them treated on time.

• Diphtheria, for example, though a rare disease, starts with usual flu and common cold-like symptoms in children. However, if left undiagnosed and untreated on time, it can damage vital organs like heart, lungs, and respiratory system, eventually leading to death.

• When skin rashes and high fever (mostly seen in measles and chickenpox cases) are not diagnosed and treated on time, they can cause severe diarrhoea, leading to dehydration in some people.

• Even flu-like symptoms, when not identified on time, can lead to severe ear infections, blindness, and swelling of the brain in a few rare cases.

FAQs

1. Why do rains lead to an increase in diseases?

The wet weather, increased humidity, and stagnated water are perfect conditions for pathogens to breed and increase in numbers. When these disease-causing germs are on the rise, it eventually leads to a lot of monsoon ailments like mosquito-borne, waterborne, and airborne diseases.

2. How to prevent falling sick from airborne diseases?

Avoid visiting public places when it is too crowded. Always wear a mask when stepping out, especially during the monsoons. Keep your home and rooms well-ventilated. Use a towel to close your mouth when coughing or sneezing. When you notice other people coughing or sneezing, don’t go too close to them. Visit a doctor when common cold-like symptoms persist for 2-3 days.