Barsaat ki bimaariyaan rok sakte hain - agar sahi precautions lein! Monsoon season in India (July-September) brings relief from garmi but also increases infections - dengue, malaria, loose motion, viral fever. Children are especially vulnerable because their immunity is still developing. The good news: with simple precautions around water, food, mosquitoes, and hygiene, most monsoon illnesses are completely preventable.
Watch: How to Know When Your Baby Is Sleepy 😴 | Baby Sleep Cues Every Parent Should Know
| Factor | Why It's Risky | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Stagnant water | Mosquito breeding ground | Dengue, malaria, chikungunya |
| Contaminated water | Bacteria, viruses | Diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis A, jaundice |
| High humidity (nami) | Fungal growth | Skin infections, allergies |
| Temperature changes | Lowered immunity | Cold, cough, viral fevers |
| Crowded indoor spaces | Disease spreads easily | Flu, conjunctivitis (aankh aana) |
Waterborne (paani se failne wali):
Mosquito-borne (machchhar se):
Airborne (hawa se):
Others:
The #1 monsoon health rule - SABSE ZAROORI!
Always:
Avoid:
What to avoid during monsoon:
| Risky Foods | Why | Safe Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Chaat, pani puri, golgappa | Contaminated water | Home-made chaat |
| Cut fruits from vendors | Bacteria grows quickly | Whole fruits washed at home |
| Raw salads from outside | Washing water unsafe | Cooked vegetables |
| Seafood (fish, prawns) | Higher monsoon contamination | Well-cooked chicken/eggs |
| Leafy greens raw | Very hard to clean properly | Cooked palak, methi |
| Street food | Multiple risks | Ghar ka khana |
Safe eating rules:
At home:
Repellents safe for children:
| Product | Age Suitable | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mosquito net | All ages | Safest option, especially babies |
| Fabric patches (stick on clothes) | 2+ months | Good Knight, Odomos patches |
| Roll-on | 6+ months | Apply on exposed skin |
| Cream (Odomos) | 6+ months | Apply on exposed skin, not face |
| Vaporizers | Older children | Use with ventilation, not for babies |
Avoid for babies: Coils (smoke irritates lungs), strong spray
Prevent mosquito breeding (yahan paida hote hain machchhar):
Hand washing (haath dhona) - make it a habit!
General hygiene:
When going out:
At home:
Diet for immunity:
| Food | Benefits | How to Give |
|---|---|---|
| Haldi (turmeric) | Anti-inflammatory, immunity | Haldi doodh (golden milk), add to sabzi |
| Amla | Vitamin C powerhouse | Murabba, amla candy, juice, chutney |
| Tulsi | Immunity boosting, antibacterial | Tulsi tea, chew leaves |
| Adrak (ginger) | Warming, digestive, anti-cold | Add to chai, soups, cooking |
| Lehsun (garlic) | Antimicrobial | Add to cooking daily |
Include daily:
Vaccinations to update before monsoon:
| Age | Special Concerns | Key Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Most vulnerable, immunity lowest | Breastfeed exclusively, mosquito net always, keep indoors during heavy rain |
| 6-12 months | Starting solids, crawling/mobile | Only freshly cooked food, no outside water, keep floor clean |
| 1-3 years | Putting everything in mouth, exploring | Strict hand hygiene, supervise closely, no street food |
| 3-6 years | School/daycare exposure | Pack lunch from home, teach hand washing, carry water bottle |
| 6+ years | More independence, peer influence | Education about safe food/water choices |
Stock up before monsoon starts:
| Mistake | Why It's Harmful | Do This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Giving antibiotics for every fever | Most monsoon fevers are viral | See doctor first, don't self-medicate |
| Letting child play in rain puddles | Dirty water, infections | Indoor activities during rain |
| Ignoring wet clothes | Fungal infections, cold | Change within 10 minutes |
| "Occasional" outside food | Even once can cause diarrhea | Strict ghar ka khana during monsoon |
| Stopping vaccinations because of rain | Diseases don't stop | Vaccinate on schedule |
| Self-medicating without doctor | Wrong diagnosis | Always consult for proper treatment |
Urgent/Emergency (turant jaao):
Non-urgent appointment:
A: Frequent illness in monsoon is common due to increased germs everywhere. Focus on: strict paani safety (boil/RO only), no outside food at all, mosquito protection (net + repellent), hand hygiene before every meal. Build immunity with haldi doodh, amla, fruits, good neend. Ensure all vaccinations are current (flu shot especially). If child is sick more than 3-4 times in season, consult doctor to rule out underlying issues.
A: Initially hard to tell - both start with bukhar. Dengue warning signs: VERY high fever (104-105 degrees), severe body/joint pain (haddi tootne jaisi feeling), pain behind eyes, rash appearing after 2-3 days, weakness, bleeding from gums/nose. If fever persists 2+ days or these signs appear, get dengue test IMMEDIATELY. Important: Don't give Brufen/Ibuprofen/Aspirin if dengue is suspected - only Paracetamol!
A: Playing in clean rain falling from sky isn't harmful, but: avoid stagnant puddles (dirty, contaminated water), change wet clothes immediately after coming inside, dry hair completely, don't let child go straight to AC. Brief play in falling rain is okay; playing in dirty gutter water or puddles is NOT okay. Monitor for symptoms 2-3 days after any rain play.
A: Ideally yes! Contamination risk is highest during monsoon - even "reputable" restaurants can have water/hygiene issues. If absolutely unavoidable: choose only hot, freshly cooked food (no chaat, no salads, no cut fruits), carry your own water. One bad meal can cause 3-4 days of diarrhea. Ghar ka khana is safest!
A: Start 1-2 months before monsoon! Daily: haldi doodh, amla (candy/murabba/juice), tulsi leaves, vitamin C fruits, protein (dal, eggs), fresh dahi. Update vaccines: typhoid, hepatitis A, flu shot. Ensure good neend (sleep) - tired children get sick more. Regular outdoor activity (when not raining). No single "immunity booster" supplement works - consistent healthy lifestyle does!
---
This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
Child unwell this monsoon? Babynama's pediatricians can help assess symptoms and guide treatment. Chat with us on WhatsApp!
Need personalized guidance? Book a consultation with our pediatricians or explore our Care Plans for 24/7 expert support!
Access 50+ pediatricians on WhatsApp anytime. Get instant answers for all your baby health concerns.
Explore Care Plans
How to Give a Bath to a Newborn Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide Quick Answer Wait at least 24-48 hours after birth before y...
Best Ways to Teach Your Child Good Hygiene Habits Quick Answer: Teaching hygiene habits early sets children up for life...
Do Pets Help In Decrease Allergy Quick Answer Yes, research suggests that having pets during your baby's first year of...
How To Replace Screen Time Or How To Engage Child Without Tv Quick Answer Bachche ko TV ke bina engage karna mushkil l...
Monsoon Disease Prevention Tips for Children Quick Answer Barsaat ka mausam aaya, bachche ki bimari bhi aa jaati hai -...
