As we age, our immunity and ability to withstand infections decline. This makes us more vulnerable to infections. The monsoon season particularly adds to the risk of falls due to slippery surfaces, diseases like dengue and malaria from mosquito bites, diarrhea and also aggravation of respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Here are a few conditions to watch out for and how to manage our health during the rainy season:
Food and Waterborne Diseases
Monsoons are associated with a lot of water contamination and that easily causes infections like typhoid and Hepatitis A and diarrhea (gastroenteritis). Cross-contamination of the soil from sewage and polluted water passes on the infection through food. As older adults have reduced gut health, they are more vulnerable to contracting these infections.
What can be done?
- Consuming only filtered water from reliable sources.
- Cooking the food properly and not leaving it out for long duration before consumption (maintain appropriate temperature for storage too).
- Avoid eating street food as the level of hygiene may not be regulated and optimal.
- Wash hands before consuming any food to avoid the transfer of germs from hand to food.
Mosquito Borne Diseases
The rainwater pooling is known to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes which transmit many illnesses like Dengue, malaria, swine flu, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. All of these illnesses may cause symptoms ranging from fever with chills, cough, abdominal pain, eye redness, and rash for 2-7 days to pneumonia and severe fatal complications. These may often cause serious illness, especially in the older adults.
Related: How to differentiate common viral illnesses
What can be done?
- Clear any pooling of water in coolers, pots and surroundings.
- Wear covered clothing (full sleeves).
- Keep your environment clean.
- Use mosquito repellants and nets.
- Close windows or add a mesh cover to them.
- See a doctor in case of high-grade fever associated with chills and rash.
Influenza (FLU)
Influenza or flu epidemics are known to be common during the rainy season. This may cause symptoms like fever, inflammation of the throat, cough, and cold. In older adults as the immunity is regressing, the disease may be more severe and may cause bronchitis and viral pneumonia.
What can be done?
- Maintain good hydration.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Get adequate sleep
- Wash hands regularly to avoid infections from contaminated surfaces like door handles etc.
- Wear a mask
- Getting flu vaccines
- ahead of the monsoon season
Leptospirosis
Even though the name sounds complicated, simply put it’s a disease caused by bacteria and is more prevalent in monsoons when the pooling water creates a breeding ground for Leptospira bacteria typically found in rat kidneys. Rats, cats, dogs, and cattle can harbor the bacteria and when it rains the urine of the infected animal can contaminate the soil and water. People who come in contact with this may fall sick. The symptoms may be mild flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, bodyache) or may include yellowish eyes to a life-threatening condition. Symptoms may take 2 weeks to a month sometimes to appear after been infected.
What can be done?
- Wear protective footwear when out in the rainy season
- Cover any cuts or wounds with bandages and bandaids
- Proper waste disposal to avoid blockage of the drainage system
- See a doctor if you have any of the mentioned symptoms
Skin Issues
Dermatological (skin issues) like allergies and eczema tend to flare up in the rainy season due to increase in humidity, more sweating, increased sebum production (oil from glands on the skin), and insect bites. The mold and fungal spores also thrive in humid weather and therefore fungal infections are also common during monsoons. Scabies is another infective disease caused by mites that can occur during monsoons and cause intense itching and rashes.
What can be done?
- Wear clothes made of breathable fabrics that allow ventilation and sweat absorption like cotton and linens
- Keep your skin clean
- Wash your hands often
- Do not wear worn or damp clothes as they may cause skin allergies and fungal infections
- Avoid using shared makeup products
- See a doctor in case of any rash
Respiratory Health
With the increase in humidity and rampant viral infections in monsoons, conditions like allergic bronchitis and asthma can be aggravated leading to breathlessness and cough. Many people also experience wheezing due to cold/breezy air. Rain can also cause pollen to break into tinier specs which can cause allergies leading to wheezing, cough, excess sneezing etc.
What can be done?
- Wear a mask
- Take steam inhalation in case of any cough/sore throat/nasal congestion
- Avoid polluted areas
- Hydrate well
- Wash your hands frequently
- See your doctor in case of any symptoms like breathlessness, wheeze, cough or excess sneezing and or fever
Related Reading: Rainy Season Precautions for Pulmonary Patients
Joint Health
Changes in air pressure, temperatures, and humidity may cause an increase in joint pain and stiffness in older adults. The exact cause is unknown. Sometimes dehydration may reduce the amount of lubricating fluid that surrounds the joints and may aggravate joint pain when the humidity is high. The rains may cause older adults to be confined to their homes. Lack of mobility may cause additional stiffness in joints. Arthritis from aging and other causes, like autoimmune diseases, is another cause for joint stiffness and decreased mobility.
What can be done?
- Maintain good hydration.
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet, including anti-inflammatory and Vitamin E-rich foods like turmeric, nuts, seeds, fruits, fish, berries, whole grains etc.
- Avoid sitting directly under the cool air of an air conditioner.
Blood Pressure
Monsoons may cause a fluctuation in blood pressure with temperature and humidity changes as the blood vessels dilate. Excess sweating during the high humidity associated with the monsoon season may cause a lowering of blood pressure in older adults due to loss of sodium (dehydration). This may be further aggravated when one has diarrhea or is on diuretic treatment for hypertension.
What can be done?
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
- Maintain regular physical activity even if indoors. (walking, yoga etc).
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet
- Get adequate sleep
- Reduce stress
Diabetes
Diabetes is notorious for delaying wound healing and also causes an increased propensity for fungal infections if the sugar levels are high and unmanaged. Older adults may often be confined at home due to rain which limits physical activity and may lead to higher blood sugar. Foot care should be a priority and walking in dirty water may increase the chances of fungal infections.
What can be done?
- Clean and inspect your feet regularly.
- Regularly check your blood sugar levels.
- Maintain regular physical activity even if indoors. (walking, yoga etc).
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet
- Get adequate sleep
- Reduce stress
Falls and Injuries
As we age our balance and core strength, take a hit due to muscle loss and decreased joint health and thus during the monsoons the slippery surfaces often become a reason for falls in older adults. This may cause injury to joints, wounds and also head injuries.
What can be done?
- Avoid walking fast in areas with watery/slippery surface.
- Wear good footwear with anti-skid soles.
- Avoid being outdoors when its raining.
REFERENCES:
- “How to Maintain Bone and Joint Health during Monsoon?” Www.manipalhospitals.com, www.manipalhospitals.com/saltlake/blog/how-to-maintain-bone-and-joint-h…. Accessed 9 July 2024.
- Oppermann, Elspeth, et al. “Heat, Health, and Humidity in Australia’s Monsoon Tropics: A Critical Review of the Problematization of “Heat” in a Changing Climate.” Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, vol. 8, no. 4, 24 May 2017, p. e468, https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.468.
- Burkart, Katrin, et al. “The Effects of Season and Meteorology on Human Mortality in Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review.” Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, vol. 108, no. 7, July 2014, pp. 393–401, https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/tru055. Accessed 7 Oct. 2021.
- “Hot Weather and Blood Pressure, Heart.” Mayo Clinic Health System, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/effec….
- “Monsoon Health Hazards: Respiratory Precautions & Disease Risks.” Www.maxhealthcare.in, www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/breathe-freely-maintaining-respiratory-welln…;
- “HOW DOES MONSOON AFFECT YOUR SKIN? COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS during MONSOON? - SCI International Hospital.” Scihospital, scihospital.com/blog/how-does-monsoon-affect-your-skin-common-skin-problems-during-monsoon.
