Quick Answer: How to Protect Children from Monsoon Diseases?
Prevention is key! Monsoon diseases spread through mosquito bites, contaminated water, and food. With proper mosquito protection, hand hygiene, and safe eating habits, most monsoon illnesses can be prevented. When illness does occur, knowing when fever needs urgent attention vs. home care is essential.
While monsoon brings illness risk, most children sail through the season with minor infections. Your alertness and basic preventive measures make all the difference!
Reassurance:
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Monsoon Disease Quick Reference
Watch: Summer Baby Care Tips | How to Protect Your Baby from Heat, Dehydration, Rashes & Infections
Disease
Main Symptom
Spread By
Prevention
**Dengue**
High fever + severe body pain
Aedes mosquito
Mosquito protection
**Malaria**
Fever with chills in cycles
Anopheles mosquito
Mosquito nets, repellents
**Typhoid**
Gradually rising fever
Contaminated food/water
Clean water, hygiene
**Cholera**
Severe watery diarrhea
Contaminated water
Boiled water only
**Viral fever**
Fever, body aches
Person to person
Hand washing
**Stomach flu**
Vomiting, loose motions
Contaminated food
Hand hygiene
**Hepatitis A**
Jaundice, fatigue
Contaminated water
Vaccination, hygiene
**Leptospirosis**
Fever, muscle pain
Flood/stagnant water
Avoid dirty water
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Fever Temperature Guide for Monsoon
Temperature
What It Means
What to Do
Below 100.4°F
No fever
Monitor symptoms
100.4-102°F
Mild bukhar
Calpol + rest + fluids
102-103°F
Moderate fever
Give medicine, if >2 days get blood test
103-104°F with chills
Could be malaria
Doctor visit same day
103-105°F with body pain
Could be dengue
Doctor + blood test
Above 104°F
Tez bukhar
Emergency - hospital
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Paracetamol Dosage Chart (ONLY Medicine for Suspected Dengue)
WARNING: During monsoon, give ONLY Calpol/Paracetamol for fever until dengue is ruled out. Avoid Meftal-P, Brufen, Combiflam!
Weight
Calpol Drops (100mg/ml)
Calpol Syrup (120mg/5ml)
Calpol 250mg/5ml
5-6 kg
0.5-0.6 ml
2.5 ml
-
6-8 kg
0.6-0.8 ml
3-4 ml
-
8-10 kg
0.8-1 ml
4-5 ml
2 ml
10-12 kg
-
5-6 ml
2.5 ml
12-15 kg
-
6-7.5 ml
3 ml
15-20 kg
-
-
4 ml
20-25 kg
-
-
5 ml
Give every 4-6 hours as needed. Max 4 doses in 24 hours.
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Prevention Guide: Your Monsoon Checklist
Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases (Dengue, Malaria)
At Home:
Use mosquito nets while sleeping
Apply Odomos/Good Knight cream on exposed skin
Wear full-sleeve shirts and long pants
Use mosquito liquidators/coils safely
Don't keep windows open during dawn/dusk
Screen windows and doors
Outside Home:
Empty all water-collecting containers
No water in flower pots, coolers, old tires
Clean cooler tanks weekly
Cover water storage containers
Report stagnant water to municipality
Against Waterborne Diseases (Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A)
Safe Drinking Water:
Only boiled or filtered water
Carry water bottle when going out
Avoid ice from unknown sources
Say no to roadside juices and drinks
Safe Food:
No street food (golgappa, chaat, etc.)
No cut fruits from vendors
Wash all vegetables and fruits thoroughly
Cook food properly
Avoid raw/undercooked food
Refrigerate leftovers immediately
General Hygiene
Wash hands with soap frequently
Especially before eating, after toilet
Keep nails short and clean
Daily bath
Keep home clean and dry
Don't walk barefoot in floods
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Disease-Specific Warning Signs
Dengue Warning Signs (URGENT!)
Persistent vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
Bleeding from gums/nose
Blood in vomit or stool
Extreme tiredness
Restlessness
Skin that feels cold and clammy
Malaria Red Flags
High fever with shivering/chills
Fever coming in waves (on and off)
Severe headache
Nausea and vomiting
Pale skin or jaundice
Typhoid Red Flags
Fever rising day by day
Extreme weakness
Rose-colored spots on chest
Abdominal pain with fever
Confusion or altered consciousness
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Home Care During Monsoon Illness
Hydration (Most Important!)
ORS solution after every loose motion
Coconut water (nariyal paani) - excellent
Nimbu paani with salt and sugar
Clear dal ka paani
Thin buttermilk (chaas)
Avoid cold drinks and sodas
Light Diet
Khichdi (moong dal)
Curd rice (for those not vomiting)
Plain toast or crackers
Banana
Clear vegetable soup
Avoid oily, spicy, heavy food
Fever Management
Light cotton clothes
Well-ventilated room (not direct AC)
Tepid sponging for fever >103°F (after medicine)
Rest
Monitor temperature every 4-6 hours
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When to Rush to Hospital
EMERGENCY - Go immediately if:
Fever above 104°F not responding to medicine
Baby under 3 months with any fever
Bleeding from gums, nose, or in stool
Severe vomiting (can't keep anything down)
No urine for 6+ hours
Child is very sleepy or difficult to wake
Seizures or fits
Difficulty breathing
Cold, sweaty skin despite fever
Extreme weakness (can't stand)
See doctor same day if:
Fever >102°F lasting more than 2-3 days
Severe headache or pain behind eyes
Rash appearing with fever
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Stomach pain
Not eating or drinking for >8 hours
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Expert Insight: Dr. Sumitra reminds parents: 'Fever itself is not dangerous - it's your child's body fighting infection.'
FAQs
Q: Child has 102°F fever with body pain in monsoon. Could it be dengue?
A: Body pain with fever in monsoon raises suspicion of dengue. Give Calpol only (NOT Meftal/Brufen). If fever lasts more than 48 hours, get a blood test for dengue (NS1 antigen and platelet count). Keep child well-hydrated.
Q: How much Calpol for my 10 kg toddler with monsoon fever?
A: For 10 kg child, give Calpol Drops 1 ml OR Calpol Syrup (120mg/5ml) 5 ml. Can repeat every 4-6 hours if fever persists. Maximum 4 doses in 24 hours.
Q: My child drank roadside juice and now has loose motions. What to do?
A: Start ORS immediately - after every loose stool. Continue normal feeding. Give Calpol if there's fever. Watch for signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, no urine for 6 hours). If symptoms persist beyond 24-48 hours or you see blood in stool, consult doctor.
Q: Is it safe to give Meftal-P for monsoon fever?
A: NO - avoid Meftal-P, Brufen, or any ibuprofen-containing medicine during monsoon until dengue is ruled out. These can increase bleeding risk in dengue. Use only Calpol/paracetamol.
Q: Child keeps getting fevers every month in monsoon. Is this normal?
A: Multiple viral infections during monsoon are common, especially for school-going children. However, if fevers are frequent, lasting long, or accompanied by other symptoms, get a thorough check-up to rule out underlying issues like recurrent UTI or other infections.
Q: How to differentiate viral fever from dengue/malaria?
A: Viral fever is usually milder (100-102°F), resolves in 3-5 days, and has cold/cough symptoms. Dengue has high fever (103-105°F), severe body pain, and possibly rash. Malaria has cyclical fever with chills. Only blood tests can confirm - get tested if fever persists beyond 2-3 days.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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