Patna, June 19: Monsoon has just arrived. So has the peril of season change.

Those soaking their feet in the rainwater should exercise minimum precaution this time of the year to avoid falling sick, said doctors. Physicians claimed that during monsoon, people, especially children, have a greater chance of falling ill because of difference in temperature and exposure to rainwater.

Director of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences Dr Arun Kumar said: “During monsoon, people are more exposed to water- and air-borne diseases. Among the water-borne diseases, dysentery is the biggest problem. Jaundice, typhoid, malaria, viral diseases and cholera also pose serious threat during the rainy season.”

Kumar said stomach upsets were common during monsoon apart from cough and cold. He added that prevention was always better than cure.

“One should drink boiled and filtered water. Cold and stale food should be avoided. It is often seen that children prefer cold drinks and ice creams during the rainy season. Since the weather remains humid, consumption of cold food should be reduced,” Kumar said, adding that it could cause sore throat and fever.

Among water- and food-borne diseases, cholera is the most lethal during the rainy season. The disease is caused by contaminated food and water. Poor hygienic condition spreads the disease. Diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle cramps are the most common symptoms of cholera.

Kumar said: “Malaria is one of those diseases that is anonymous to monsoon. Female anopheles mosquitoes get conducive conditions to breed during the rainy season. If a person complains of fever, shivering, muscle pain and weakness, then there are high chances that he/she may be suffering from malaria.”

Special care should be given to children as they have low immunity and easily gets susceptible to such diseases.

Dr RKP Choudhary, the head of department of skin and venereal diseases in Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) said: “During the rainy season, we get frequent skin disease cases, as the weather remains humid.” The common skin diseases during monsoon are summer boil, eczema, miliaria (ghamori) and other diseases arising out of fungus infection.

Apart from skin, water- and food-prone diseases, conjunctivitis during the rainy season is another infection that spreads fast. Dr Om Prakash Choudhary, the medical superintendent at PMCH, said: “Cases of conjunctivitis increase during this season. It is contagious and if a non-infected individual comes in contact with a person suffering from conjunctivitis or touches an object that has been touched by such a person after wiping the eyes, he/she is bound to catch the disease. People should consult an eye specialist instead of buying medicine off the counter. The treatment includes use of antibiotics and astringent eye-drops.”