Seasonal Change Brings Risks From Colds to Dengue: How to Protect Yourself

During a change of season, the erratic weather and temperature change nature just as they deeply affect the human body. Especially from winter to summer or from the monsoon to autumn, humidity and temperature in the air vary. That creates favourable conditions for germs and viruses to multiply and temporarily weakens the body's immune system, so infectious and seasonal diseases spread all around.

Among the diseases most common at this time, colds, coughs and influenza, or flu, come first - the ordinary illnesses of the season.

As mosquito nuisance increases with the change of season, viral fever and dengue also rise.

Respiratory infections - pneumonia and bronchitis - are another risk at this time, with children and the elderly affected most.

Dust and dry weather increase asthma and allergy problems. Contamination of food and drink causes gastroenteritis or diarrhoea. Contagious diseases such as measles, chickenpox and conjunctivitis, or pink eye, also spread at this time.

The reasons given for the rise in illness are that fluctuating temperatures help rhinoviruses, influenza and other germs survive and spread faster; the body takes time to adjust to sudden weather change and immunity dips during this transitional period; more dust and pollen in the air raises the risk of allergies and breathing trouble; and food spoiling quickly in hot or damp weather lets waterborne germs enter the body easily.

The first protection is nutritious food and enough water - eat more vitamin C-rich fruits such as oranges, lemons and guavas and nutritious food, and drink 8 to 10 glasses of safe, boiled water a day.

For personal hygiene, wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds after returning from outside or before eating, and use a mask when going out. To stop mosquito breeding, do not let water collect around the home and use a mosquito net. Dress according to the weather - using light warm clothing where it may feel cold is wise.

If symptoms are mild, initial care can be taken at home. For fever, paracetamol may be taken and the whole body sponged with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water.

For diarrhoea or vomiting, give plenty of oral saline, coconut water or fruit juice. For a sore throat and cough, gargling with a little salt in lukewarm water and taking tulsi leaf juice with ginger and honey helps. The patient must take complete rest and eat light, easily digestible food without hot spices.