Follow these expert health tips to navigate untimely Mumbai rains

Mumbai is no stranger to rainfall but recent unprecedented showers have left citizens puzzled and unprepared Dr Sanjeev Khanna consultant gastroenterologist Criticare Asia Multi Speciality Hospital and Holy Spirit Hospital Andheri suggests a 360degree lens at keeping mind and body healthy during such unpredictable weatherThe five FsDr Khanna says ldquoCommon illnesses at this time are food and waterborne ones Gastroenteritis Hepatitis Typhoid and Dysentery Keep in mind the five Fs Flies Food Fingers Fomites and FaecesrdquoWading through dirty water and stepping into puddles is dangerous due to bacterial matter in these elements Additionally routinely being soaked in rain and direct contact with various objects and people at this time can cause illnesses like influenza gastroenteritis and others File picsSatej Shinde Ashish RajeA few ways to be mindful of these factors daily are Being watchful with food intake and avoiding items left open particularly at street stalls avoiding direct contact with objects that may carry bacteria like othersrsquo handkerchiefs or eating and drinking from shared utensils ldquoThe general level of hygiene goes down during rainy weatherrdquo he says ldquoAlso stay away from areas with low air quality like construction sites which are aplenty in MumbairdquoLearn to differentiateKnowing how to identify symptoms of certain common ailments during this time can speed up the treatment and recovery processIf yoursquore using up boxes of tissues for a runny nose it is likely a common cold but if you suddenly fall ill with body aches and a high fever with typical cold symptoms it is the flurdquo Dr Khanna says He further explains ldquoMany find it hard to tell apart mosquitorelated diseases Dengue and Chikungunya present as severe body aches with Dengue one can also have pain behind the eyes and during eye movement Malaria is characterised by fluctuating intermittent fevers and bodily shakingrdquoMosquito menaceRest is the best solution particularly important amidst the buzz of activity that Mumbaikars experience on a daily basisAs rain provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes Dr Khanna strongly suggests wearing covered clothing during this weather ldquoAvoid shorts and other clothes that expose the skin mainly outdoors Dengue and Chikungunya mosquitoes bite during the day hence I advise people to use mosquito repellents during that timerdquo he recommends He adds that fresh water must not be left open anywhere inside or near homes as mosquitoes thrive therein saying ldquoIn housing societies any such areas should be fogged as wellrdquoWatch your stepMumbai rains bring with them numerous pothole puddles Another common issue caused by walking through dirty water Dr Khanna says is Leptospirosis ldquoDirty water contains urinary matter from animals and rodents Hence if this frequently occurs with a person particularly during daily commutes ensure you wash your feet with soap and water afterwards Lab tests can quickly diagnose this disease and effective antibiotics are availablerdquo Dr Khanna explainsTreatment tipsDr Khanna stresses on the lsquoRest is bestrsquo solution ldquoAvoid selftreatment at all cost it is always better to visit a physician for diagnoses and medicationsrdquo he warns further emphasising ldquoDonrsquot selfmedicate with antibiotics especially in cases of gastroenteritis they are usually unnecessary The backbone of this issue is proper hydration the goto should be oral hydration therapy Further use only paracetamol for fever and body pains that too only with the right dosage avoid other painkillers like Aspirin Naproxen and Diclofenac as these can cause complicationsrdquoPrevention not cureldquoThe best way to prevent all these issues is to improve your immunity That is possible only through seven to eight hours of restful sleep daily proper diet maintaining your mental health and getting some form of regular exerciserdquo Dr Khanna signs offHomemade ORSOral Rehydration Solution ORS may not always be readily available if one falls ill unexpectedly Here is a short recipe for a homemade solution which can work as a substitute until one has a storebought ORS packetOral Rehydration Solutions are a lifesaving option for multiple stomach issuesgtgtIn a clean container mix a combination of 1 litre of boiled and cooled water rice water may be used as wellgtgtAdd 8 level teaspoons of sugargtgtAdd half a teaspoon of common saltgtgtAdd lime orange or carrot juice to the mixture or even mashed ripe bananaInformation courtesy Dr Sanjeev Khanna