Due to heavy rains in many parts of the country including the capital Delhi, there is a flood-like situation. This not only threatens to create social and economic problems but can also lead to serious health risks. Naturally, the risk of mosquito-borne diseases increases due to flood-waterlogging, but the risks are not limited to this only.
Doctors have warned that such adverse conditions can also aggravate stomach and respiratory diseases. In such a situation, the people of the places where there is a flood, there is need to take special precautions.
Health experts say that every year the pressure on the health sector increases during the rainy season, which is the time for infectious diseases. Due to diseases like dengue-chikungunya and malaria, not only do a large number of people become victims but thousands also die. Let's understand from the doctor how flood situation can be problematic for human health.
Risk of many types of diseases due to flood
To understand the dangers caused by flood and water-logging-like situations, we spoke to Dr. Niranjan.N., Department of Emergency Medicine at a Delhi-based hospital. Talked to Sinha.
Health experts point out that floods can be a serious threat to human health, both directly and indirectly. It is not just the people affected by the flood that are at health risk, it can also affect people involved in rescue operations, healthcare workers, and critical service providers. Apart from mosquito-borne diseases, the risk of diarrhea and stomach-related problems increases during this season.
Risk of stomach infection and jaundice
According to health experts, cases of diseases like stomach infection and jaundice increase during floods. The main reason for this can be the consumption of contaminated water. It can also lead to the risk of diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and leptospirosis. The condition of liver infection causes jaundice, so we all must take care of the purity of drinking water at our level. Boil the water and cool it, only then it should be consumed.
There is also a risk of respiratory disease
In a study, a team of researchers reported that the risk of respiratory diseases may also be higher in flood-affected areas. Health experts said that along with the flood, toxic chemicals, pesticides, and pathogens come into the houses. Even after the flood recedes, these toxic substances can remain in the dry parts. As the space dries out, these harmful substances turn into dust and can get into the air through everyday activities like walking and cleaning. By breathing in such contaminated air, these substances reach the lungs and increase the risk of serious respiratory diseases.
How to take care of health
Dr. Niranjan says, these days since the situation is messed up due to heavy rains in many states, it is necessary that we should always try to prevent all diseases. Take special care of cleanliness in the house. Be extra careful about food and drink, eat vegetables and fruits after cleaning them properly. Drink only boiled and cooled water. Mosquito repellents are also very important.
(PC: Freepik)
