Impact Of Waterborne Diseases On Children: In July, everywhere we see a huge influx of patients with water-borne disease complaints and a history of eating outside food. It is quite difficult to make children understand the importance of healthy eating and avoiding street foods, especially during monsoon. The contaminated water increases the risk of food poisoning, abdominal cramps and several waterborne diseases. 

Rainy weather may have a disastrous effect on our health, from dengue and malaria to the usual cold and flu. As a result, in order to avoid illnesses, it is crucial to exercise extraordinary caution and plan in advance, especially for your children.

Symptoms Of Waterborne Diseases

Dr Ajay Agarwal, Director & HOD - Internal Medicine, Fortis Noida explained that the symptoms of waterborne diseases are varied and can range from multiple episodes of loose watery stools, pain abdomen, vomiting in cholera to high-grade fever, bodyache, headache, pain in abdomen, diarrhoea in typhoid to yellowish colouration of eyes and urine, pain abdomen, nausea and vomiting, fever and decreased appetite in Hepatitis.

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The patient is dehydrated due to severe loss of fluids occurring as a result of ongoing loose stools or vomiting and if severe enough may lead to even metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury and hypovolemic shock. It is important to keep an eye on the urine output to recognise acute kidney injury early on.

Impact Of Waterborne Diseases On Children (Image Credits: Canva)

Dr Agarwal said that it is important to keep our guard up, especially in these rainy seasons when waterborne diseases are on the rise. Simple tips to protect your children from waterborne diseases include: 

  • Drinking purified water or boiled water at home.
  • Avoid eating outside and eating home-cooked food.
  • Cleaning hands properly before eating
  • Proper vaccination in case of vaccine-preventable diseases like Typhoid.
  • In case of symptoms, consult a doctor early if signs of dehydration are present.

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