Doctors have advised residents caution against eye infections and contaminated water to prevent falling unwell this monsoon.
Gastroenteritis, apart from several eye and skin-related problems, are quite common now, the doctors said.
The medicine department in-charge at AIIMS-Patna, Ravi Kirti Singh, said: "Faecal-oral contamination (ingestion of water contaminated by faeces) in this season often leads to gastroenteritis. Overflowing drains, leak in the drainage system are reasons for this contamination. So, residents should be careful about the water they drink. It is advisable to have only boiled water. Roadside food should be avoided," said Singh.
He said cases of typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis E are also increasingly reported in this season.
Physician Diwakar Tejaswi said asthma patients should carry inhalers to counter any emergency out of excess humidity in the air. "In the rainy season, the humidity level increases. This triggers breathing problem among asthmatic patients, so they should avoid visiting humid places. They should always carry their inhalers. Those with low blood pressure also experience the same problem. Their body rapidly loses salt because of excess sweating and they should carry oral rehydration solutions," he said.
Hanuman Nagar resident Vinita Singh, an asthma patient, has been experiencing breathing difficulties for the past few days. "I consulted a doctor on Sunday and he advised me to be careful about what I eat. I have been told to avoid cold drinks."
Eye infections are exceedingly common in the monsoon, too, and ophthalmologists said it was important for residents to take care of their hygiene to avoid any swelling in the eye. Ophthalmologist Sunil Kumar Singh said: "Bacterial, viral or fungal conjunctivitis are reported a lot in the monsoon. Residents should wash their eyes with clean water several times a day and sleep inside mosquito nets."
Dermatologist Amar Kant Jha Amar suggested the people to wear light-coloured clothes for less humidity absorption to avoid skin problems.
