STAY HEALTHY THIS MONSOON
The much-awaited rainy season is here. It reminds us of staying at home, sipping hot coffee, enjoying pakodas and some really lazy days. This monsoon not only relieves us from scorching heat but also brings along a set of problems and
diseases that can result in serious complications if not paid attention.
Monsoon is the time when the humidity levels are high and as a result, the digestive capability goes down. Monsoon reduce the immunity of our bodies and make one susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season. It is time for us to keep our body resistant against diseases by boosting our immunity and taking precautions against these diseases.
The rainy season is notorious for bringing with it a host of viral, fungal and food-borne illnesses that can range from the simple cold, cough and fever to stomach pain, diarrhoea, food poisoning and gastroenteritis. This illness often produces symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever. The symptoms are often caused by various sources like the unhygienic food, contaminated water, unhygienic surfaces, location or the food handler itself.
This usually makes it hard to tell that illness is caused by food or from any other sources. Symptoms can take between a few hours to a few days to develop and may last for a few days, depending on the type of pathogen. Many people have mild symptoms and recover within a few days. However, if symptoms persist for more than three days or are very severe, one should seek medical advice at the earliest as they are mild mostly but in but in rare cases, foodborne illness can result in longterm health problems and even death.
MONSOON HEALTHCARE
One of the most common sources of infection during rainy season is water: Do not consume tap water directly. One should always drink water after boiling, filtering or by using commercially-available reverse Osmosis purifiers. One should store water in copper or silver vessels as it is not just a fashion statement. Doing so kills all germs and sterilises the water.
Avoid eating uncooked food during this season: If one really wants to have salads, then make the salads when one is ready to eat them. Try and have steamed salad. Remember fruits and vegetables cut up and left to stand, lose vitamins and catch pathogens. One can also eat tandoori and grilled foods.
Be hygienic: This means washing your hands and doing it frequently. A good rule of thumb is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water. It's also important to keep the kitchen sink, drain, and counter disinfected before any food preparation. Make sure your cutting boards and utensils are cleaned by warm, soapy water. Change dish towels every alternate day.
Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables in running tap water to remove visible dirt and grime. Decrease the consumption of leafy vegetables during the rainy season but, if keen to eat then wash it with warm water, blanch it well and then use. Rewash apples, pears, or oranges before eating even if you washed them prior to placing them in the fruit bowl. Because bacteria can grow well on the cut surface of fruit or vegetable.
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