Overview

• Experts warn that seasonal humidity, temperature swings and waterlogging raise viral, waterborne and mosquito-borne illnesses including gastroenteritis, typhoid, hepatitis A and E, dengue, malaria and leptospirosis.
• For young children, doctors advise freshly cooked hot food, boiled or filtered drinking water, timely vaccines for typhoid, hepatitis A and rotavirus, masks in crowded settings, strict handwashing and avoiding street food.
• Pregnant women are urged to keep surroundings dry and clean, steer clear of stagnant water and crowded or unhygienic places, wear a quality mask when stepping out, follow a nutrient-dense diet and attend regular antenatal check-ups.
• Vector control remains critical with removal of standing water, use of repellents, nets and long sleeves, while clinicians caution against walking barefoot or wading through floodwater due to leptospirosis risk and recommend changing out of wet clothes promptly.
• Gut-health guidance emphasizes safe hydration with boiled or filtered water, hot freshly prepared meals, probiotics such as curd or buttermilk, early use of oral rehydration solutions for diarrhoea, and light, easy-to-digest foods during recovery.