Barsaat ka mausam aaya, bachche ki bimari bhi aa jaati hai - lekin zyada tar bimariyaan rokna possible hai! Monsoon brings relief from garmi but also increases risk of dengue, diarrhea (loose motion), viral fever, and skin infections. The good news? Simple precautions - safe water, clean food, mosquito protection, and good hygiene - can prevent most monsoon illnesses. This guide covers everything Indian parents need to keep their bachche healthy during July-September.
Common Monsoon Illnesses in Children
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What to Watch For (Kya Kya Hota Hai Barsaat Mein)
Illness
Symptoms
How It Spreads
Viral fever (bukhar)
Fever, body aches, fatigue
Airborne, contact
Diarrhea/Loose motion
Loose stools, vomiting, weakness
Contaminated water/food
Dengue
High fever, severe body pain, rash
Mosquito bites
Malaria
Fever with chills, sweating cycles
Mosquito bites
Typhoid
Prolonged fever, weakness, stomach pain
Contaminated water/food
Conjunctivitis (aankh aana)
Red, watery, itchy eyes
Contact, dirty water
Skin infections
Rashes, fungal infections, boils
Moisture, poor hygiene
Cold/Cough (sardi-zukaam)
Runny nose, cough, congestion
Airborne
Step-by-Step Prevention Guide
Step 1: Water Safety (Paani Ki Suraksha)
Contaminated water is the BIGGEST monsoon risk!
Always Do:
Boil drinking water for 10 minutes OR use RO/UV purifier
Use filtered water even for brushing teeth
Carry water bottle from home
Avoid ice from outside sources
Never Do:
Give tap water directly
Let child drink from unknown sources
Trust "mineral water" from street vendors
Use municipal water without treatment
Step 2: Food Safety (Khana Peena Ka Dhyan)
Monsoon food rules:
Avoid (Mat Khilao)
Why (Kyun)
Eat Instead (Yeh Khilao)
Street food (chaat, golgappa, pani puri)
Water contamination
Home-made snacks
Raw salads from outside
Washing water dirty
Well-cooked vegetables
Pre-cut fruits from vendors
Bacterial growth
Whole fruits, wash & cut at home
Seafood (machhi)
Higher contamination in monsoon
Well-cooked chicken, eggs
Leafy vegetables raw
Hard to clean properly
Thoroughly washed and cooked
Safe foods for monsoon:
Freshly cooked, garam-garam meals
Seasonal fruits: pomegranate (anaar), apple, pear
Warm soups
Haldi doodh (turmeric milk)
Ginger-honey water (for older children)
Step 3: Mosquito Protection (Machchhar Se Bachav)
Critical for dengue and malaria prevention!
At home:
Use mosquito nets (macchardani) - especially for babies!
A: This is common - monsoon increases infection risk for everyone. Focus on: strict water/food hygiene (sirf ghar ka khana-paani), mosquito protection (machchardani lagao), frequent hand washing, keeping child dry. Build immunity with balanced diet including vitamin C, haldi, protein. Ensure all vaccinations are current. If child gets sick very frequently (every 2-3 weeks), check with doctor for underlying issues like allergies or low immunity.
Q: Monsoon mein bahar khana khila sakte hain?
A: Best to completely avoid street food during monsoon - contamination risk is very high. Chaat, golgappa, cut fruits are particularly risky because of the water used. If eating out is unavoidable, choose hot, freshly cooked food from reputable restaurants only. Always carry your own water. Ghar ka khana sabse safe hai during this season!
Q: Machchhar bhagane ka sabse safe tarika kya hai baby ke liye?
A: For babies: mosquito net (macchardani) is SAFEST - no chemicals at all. Also safe: fabric roll-ons and patches on clothes (not directly on baby's skin). For older children (6+ months): child-safe repellent creams like Odomos. Avoid: burning coils or strong liquid vaporizers in baby's room - smoke irritates baby's lungs. Keep baby indoors during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Q: Viral fever hai ya dengue - kaise pata chalega?
A: It's difficult to tell initially - both start with fever. Dengue warning signs: VERY high fever (104-105 degrees F), severe body/joint pain (haddi toot rahi hai jaisi feeling), pain behind eyes, rash appearing after 2-3 days, bleeding from gums/nose. If fever doesn't reduce with paracetamol, or these signs appear, see doctor IMMEDIATELY for dengue test. Important: Don't give Brufen/Ibuprofen/Aspirin if dengue suspected - only Paracetamol!
Q: Bachche ki immunity kaise badhaayein monsoon ke liye?
A: Start building immunity 1-2 months before monsoon! Include daily: haldi doodh, amla (murabba, candy, juice), tulsi leaves, vitamin C fruits (orange, guava), protein-rich food (dal, eggs, paneer). Ensure adequate neend (sleep), regular physical activity, and updated vaccinations (flu shot, typhoid). There's no magic "immunity booster" supplement - it's about overall healthy lifestyle consistently.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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