As the monsoon clouds approach and cities get drenched with much-needed rain, they also bring the unwelcome guest that is waterborne diseases. Every year, hospitals report a spike in illnesses like typhoid, cholera, and various gastrointestinal infections during this season. But have you ever wondered why these infections peak during the monsoon? In this blog, we will explore why waterborne infections peak during monsoon and what one can do to protect oneself from them.
Understanding Why Waterborne Infections Peak During Monsoon
Most of the monsoons may feel like a relief from the scorching summer heat, but at times, they also create the perfect environment for all the harmful pathogens. The reasons are:
1. Contaminated Water Sources
During heavy rains, sewage often gets mixed with the drinking water supply line, especially in urban areas with aging infrastructure. So, overflowing drains and stagnant puddles further compound the problem, hence making municipal water unsafe to consume without treatment.
2. Flooding and Poor Drainage
Most of the frequent flooding results in mixing of clean water with wastewater, which effectively increases the chances of microbial contamination. Also, poorly managed drainage systems in both rural and urban areas aggravate the issue, hence allowing harmful bacteria, viruses, and protozoa to enter household water supplies.
3. Increased Humidity and Temperature
Monsoon weather provides the ideal breeding conditions for microorganisms. Additionally, the combination of warmth and moisture helps disease-causing microbes multiply at an alarming rate, both in water bodies and within home water storage containers.
4. Negligence in Water Storage and Hygiene
Nowadays, many people still store water in open containers or sometimes fail to clean tanks and utensils regularly. So, during monsoons, this becomes an open invitation to bacteria and parasites. Rainwater seepage into underground storage tanks can also go unnoticed until someone falls ill.
Common Waterborne Infections During Monsoon
1. Cholera
Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration, and can lead to death if left untreated. It can cause rapid fluid loss, leading to shock and even death.
2. Typhoid
Typhoid is caused by Salmonella typhi it causes fever, weakness, and abdominal pain. Also, in severe cases, it can affect multiple organs and may require hospitalisation for effective recovery.
3. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A can cause symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, especially in adults. While it usually gets resolved on its own without long-term liver damage, maintaining good hygiene and drinking purified water is important to prevent infection.
4. Dysentery and Gastroenteritis
These cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines, which results in cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Also, they are commonly spread via the consumption of contaminated water or food, and can lead to dehydration if not managed properly.
What are the Steps You Can Take Right Now to Stay Safe
1. Drink Only Purified Water
It is recommended to avoid drinking directly from taps, or any untreated sources. So, it is recommended to invest in water purifier, ideally one that uses RO+ UV lamp, as it removes dissolved salts and removes all the harmful bacteria.
2. Keep Water Storage Containers Clean and Covered
If you store water manually at home, always make sure containers are cleaned perfectly and thoroughly at least once a week with disinfectant, and always keep them covered.
3. Install an Under-the-Counter Purifier
If you live in a metro city or an apartment complex with limited counter space, a under-the-sink purifier is an ideal solution. Additionally, it saves space, looks neat, and delivers purified water directly to your kitchen tap.
Why Choose DrinkPrime
So, when it comes to making sure it is safe drinking water, DrinkPrime is an ideal solution not only because it is a high-performance purification system, but also because its smart, flexible approach completely suits modern Indian households. Instead of buying a bulky and expensive machine, you can rent a DrinkPrime RO+ UV water purifier at an affordable monthly fee. Moreover, maintenance is important, especially in the rainy season when filter clogging is much more common. DrinkPrime covers all servicing and filter replacements for free, so that you never have to worry. Also, you can track your water usage and raise a service request with just a tap on DrinkPrime.
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Conclusion
In summary, during the monsoon season, cases of waterborne infections like cholera, typhoid, and gastroenteritis are due to contaminated water sources and poor drainage. Such conditions create a breeding ground for harmful microbes, hence making untreated water a serious health hazard. So, to stay safe, it is important to drink only purified water, maintain clean water storage, and consider installing water purifiers.
DrinkPrime offers a smart and affordable solution with its RO+ UV lamp water purifier on rent, complete with free servicing and app-based controls. It makes sure that you get high-quality drinking water, hence making it an ideal choice for modern Indian homes during the monsoon season.
