Children especially enjoy playing in the rain during the monsoons, one of the most exciting times of the year, but because of the heat and humidity, which are ideal conditions for the growth of viruses, bacteria, and mould, children are unfortunately at risk of experiencing flu-like symptoms and other infections. When the academic year starts with the arrival of the monsoon, minor pleasures like catching raindrops on the tongue, jumping over puddles, the adventure of wading in knee-deep water, and a few more school holidays become available.

However, during the monsoon, a lot of harmful and undesirable visitors do barge into your kids’ lives, and a lot of serious and non-serious ailments create fever. The Monsoon Maladies, which include fever and the disease of mosquitoes, are infamously known as these monsoon-borne ailments.

For parents looking to make sure their children are healthy this monsoon, sports nutritionist Mihira AR Khopkar offered the following advice in an interview with HT Lifestyle:

1. Pay attention to appropriate cleaning and hygiene practises. Encourage them to take regular handwashing breaks and to take a shower after playing.

2. Consume as much boiled water as you can

3. Steer clear of street vendors, especially those selling food.

4. Savor homemade versions of street food. The quality of homemade bhajjiyas rivals that of roadside vendors.

5. Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, but make sure you thoroughly clean them before eating.

6. Choose prepared food over raw food when purchasing foods to eat.

7. A diet strong in protein is best for boosting immunity.

8. Foods high in vitamins C and E, such as amla, oranges, capsicum, drumsticks, and a variety of nuts and seeds, are crucial for preventing infections.

9. Meals high in vitamin A, particularly those found in colourful fruits and vegetables, egg yolk, and other foods, are helpful for immunity.

Dr. Puja Kapoor, paediatric neurosurgeon and co-founder of Continua Kids, added the following advice to the list:

Eat light, healthy food first. Heavy, greasy food might create indigestion, therefore light, healthy food is necessary. Eat only fresh, healthful food that is prepared at home.

2. Regularly wash your hands – The heat and humidity of this season make it difficult to maintain good hygiene, so wash your hands frequently. Additionally, use a tissue or clean cloth to dry your hands. Try to maintain hygiene by routinely washing and cleaning, as this is a time of year when all kinds of organisms are flourishing.

3. Wash your food well – Once more, be mindful of the food you consume as it is more likely to go bad now. A lot of stomach distress results from consuming spoiled food.

4. Drink only clean water. As much as possible, carry your own water bottle with you. Drinking water from an unclean source can lead to a lot of health issues.

5. Consume fresh foods, veggies, and probiotics in large quantities. Because our gut needs the good bacteria to grow, a diet rich in probiotics is essential. Try including curd frequently in your diet as it is high in prebiotics.

6. Remove stagnant water from anywhere around you – Because stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, remove any water that may be present in jars, vases, water coolers, and other containers to avoid mosquito breeding.

7. Iron your clothes – If there are several damp days in a row, be sure to iron your garments. Wet clothing has a higher likelihood of developing mould, so ironing it will allay your worries.

8. Steer clear of junk food – Eating junk food might irritate your stomach and give you discomfort. To prevent any stomach problems, be sure to consume light, healthful food that is fresh.

Dr. Soonu Udani, Medical Director at SSRC Children Hospital, offered his experience on the subject and provided the following advice for preventing monsoon diseases in children:

1. Keep your kids’ shoes and clothing dry and clean to help prevent skin infections.

2. In order to avoid the buildup of bacteria and filth, parents should make sure that their children’s nails are kept short.

3. During the first downpour of the season, keep your child inside. This rain has the potential to be acidic and harm your skin.

4. Prevent kids from playing in unclean water.

5. Protect your child from mosquitoes – Make sure there is no standing water inside or outside your home as these are breeding grounds for parasites, anaerobic bacteria, and mosquitoes, which spread diseases like malaria and dengue.

6. Opt for fresh and green foods – Make sure your child consumes foods like fruits, vegetables, greens, lentils, etc. in their diet. Stay away from fatty and junk meals. Fruits and vegetables should always be washed with water to eradicate bacteria.

7. Choose hot drinks – By keeping your child hydrated throughout the day, you can help them fend against issues like a throat infection. Warm soup or milk can be used to relieve sore throats.

8. Practice good hygiene – Washing your hands properly and frequently helps prevent your child from contracting common viral infections. As soon as they finish playing or before and after meals, encourage your child to wash their hands.

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