Top 4 Child’s Diseases to Watch Out for this Rainy Season

With the onset of the rainy season in the country, it’s best to be prepared and be informed on what diseases your child is most prone on getting during this period. SP compiled top 4 illnesses to watch out for.

1. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease transmitted by animals. One can usually get it from getting into contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected animals like rodents, dogs, cattle, horses, pigs, etc. It usually gets transmitted to humans by eating or swallowing contaminated food or water. This makes wading in floodwaters a risk for contracting the illness, especially if you or your child have open wounds or lesions.

2. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a deadly illness easily contracted by children, especially in the wake of the storm season. Protect your child today by being aware of the symptoms and knowing how to deal with them.

According to the Mayo Clinic, pneumonia (or bronchopneumonia as the most common case with children) is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection from bacteria, fungi and viruses. The infection causes the lungs to fill up with fluid, which makes it difficult to breathe.

3. Dengue

Dengue is a febrile infection (or an infection that is marked by fever) caused by the dengue virus. There are four serotypes (types of microorganisms or strains of the virus). It is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Fever, a rash, body aches and flu symptoms usually start three to ten days after being bitten by the mosquito. There is no specific antibiotic to treat dengue.

4. Cholera

Cholera is an acute form of diarrhea, with nausea and vomiting caused by the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. This causes rapid dehydration presenting with excessive thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps, drying of skin, and mouth, rapid and thready pulse and stupor. Infants and children should be checked for fever, sunken fontanelles, lack of tears, sleepiness/inactivity and glassy or sunken eyes.

Cholera usually gets transmitted to humans by eating contaminated food or drinking tainted water. This makes coming into contact with floodwater a potential cholera hazard. 

Photo from sxc.hu

What’s your personal parenting tip to keep your child safe from these diseases that abound during the rainy season? We’d love to know. Fill up the comment form below.