Health Tips For The Rainy Season
You are probably reading this while it is raining. If yes, I advise that you get a hot cup of tea or coffee and cuddle with the words of the article.
The rains are here, and while we love the lower temperatures and fresher air, the truth is that the rainy season comes with a unique set of challenges to your health. These challenges vary from the common cold to malaria. If you do not take care, the rainy season can become a horrible one.
Below are some tips to help you stay healthy during this season:
- Stay Warm
Yes, we know that you like the weather. It is indeed a welcome break from the heat and dryness of earlier months. Nevertheless, you must protect yourself by dressing warmly. Bring out the sweaters and turtlenecks. The drop in temperature can affect your body’s ability to fight off infections, making you more prone to diseases. Because their immune system is still developing, children are more vulnerable. So, stay warm!
- Keep Water Moving
With the rains comes floods and new bodies of water. Lakes can be nice but not the kind created right now. Stagnant pools of water serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes so ensure that water keeps moving. This is the time to clear those drainages and avoid dumping refuse indiscriminately.
- Stay Clean & Dry
You must maintain a high level of hygiene at all times. Rainwater is not clean so ensure that you have a bath if you get caught in the rain. Invest in a good umbrella, remove wet clothes as soon as possible, and avoid wearing damp footwear. Fungal infections tend to thrive in damp settings so dry off vigorously. Prevent your children from playing in the rain or with rainwater. If they do escape your surveillance somehow, ensure that you give them a good bath.
- Watch What You Eat
Cases of cholera, typhoid, and other food/water-borne diseases tend to surge during this period. Avoid buying street food or food from vendors whose hygiene levels you cannot ascertain. The same goes for drinking water as well. If you drink water from a well, make sure you boil the water properly before drinking.
- No chiefs allowed
During the rainy season, allergies tend to act up and the common cold is more common. Avoid carrying a handkerchief if you have a runny nose because a hanky is perfect for spreading disease. When you blow your nose and stuff the hanky back into your pocket, you create an incubator for germs. It is better to blow your nose into a piece of tissue paper so you can throw it away. Always wash your hands afterward and cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow if you have to sneeze.
In the past, a sneeze would be followed by ‘Bless you,’ but with the advent of COVID-19, a panicked look is probably the kindest reaction you will get. Try to follow these tips to avoid coming down with a cold or any other disease.
Remember to eat healthily and stay fit too.
Buy a health plan for someone you love today. https://www.hygeiahmo.com/our-plans/
Dr. Okonkwor Oyor C.
