1. Precautions for Summer Diseases
Common Summer Disease are:-
1. Water borne diseases:- Diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid , cholera, hepatitis, shigella, worm
infestations
2. Mosquito borne disease: - Dengue, malaria, chikunguniya,
3. Heat related disease:- Heat stroke, dehydration, epistaxis, sun headache,
4. Skin diseases:- Sunburn, tanning, premature skin ageing, skin cancer
5. Eye diseases: cataract, conjunctivitis, retinal damage.
How to remain cool in summers:-
Drink Plenty of Fluids
During hot weather, you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don’t
wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Drink more than 8-10 glasses of water every day. You can even have
coconut water, fresh fruit juices, buttermilk, lassi, kanji, lemon water and specially take electrolyte with
water. Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar; these actually cause you to
lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks as they may cause stomach cramps.
EATING HABITS
Use plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid hot foods and heavy meals – they add heat to your
body. Take the cool substances like watermelon, grapes and pineapple, carrot, cucumber. Raw onions
are great to cool the system, take them as part of a vegetable salad or chutney. Avoid using garam
masala, mustard seeds, red chillies in your daily cooking as these aggravate heat symptoms. Avoid sour,
spicy and oily foods.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Do not wear dark cloth
Summer skin care-keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself
from the sun by wearing a cap or hat along with sunglasses. Apply a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30
minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.
Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully
Try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Avoid too much sun exposure speceially
between 10-4pm. Use an umbrella to cover your head when you go out.
Architectural precaution: doors and window should be closed tightly, no dark coloured home
exteriors. Encourage trees and shrubs. Dark coloured glasses, use cooling devices.
Precautions for mosquito – breeding places, repellants, mosquito bites.
Precautions for water borne disease :
1. Pasteurized milk and water
2. No bottle feeding
3. Hand cleaning
4. Properly home cooked food
5. Avoid eating out at unhygienic places
6. Immediately eat food or put in refrigerator.
7. Immediately dispose of stale food.
8. Proper washing technique
Dr. Ravi Malik
M.B.B.S., M.D. (Paed)
Sr. Child Specialist
Convener Medical Education, IMA-National
Asstt Secretery General, IMA-National