Chennai: With seasonal changes and the onset of monsoon, doctors warn against consumption of roadside food and drinks saying that they would heighten chances of typhoid, diarrhea, paratyphoid, cholera and gastroenteritis.
Infections due to water-logging, contamination of food, air and water are among the major health concerns for Chennaiites, doctors say adding that monsoon season can be free from ailments if precautions are taken.
“Fever and cold are common with seasonal changes, but health problems can be grave even due to mild showers. People need to be extra careful during monsoon as malaria, dysentery, and cholera can outbreak. But these can be prevented if people use boiling water for drinking and also for cooking,” Dr P. Vasanthamani, Dean of Kilpauk Medical Hospital, told Deccan Chronicle.
Though fruits and vegetables are good for health, they should be washed in hot water if they are to be consumed raw, she adds. Doctors warn against the consumption of roadside food and drinks, which not just leads to stomach and abdominal pain, but also various health hazards.
“Drinks from roadside shops should be completely avoided, particularly those mixed with ice. Bacteria grow better in low temperatures and most of the ice is not prepared in clean water, which leads to various infections,” said Dr A.R. Shanti, member of Doctor’s Association for Social Welfare.
It is not only drinks but also roadside food that leads to such diseases, say doctors. “One should preferably eat hot and freshly prepared food at home,” said Dr Sanjay Pande of Fortis Malar.
The risk for some diseases goes up, as diseases carrying pathogens are highest during the rains. “Water logging leads to breeding of mosquitoes and ultimately, an increase in cases of malaria, dengue and other types of fever later is witnessed,” said Dr Anitha Ramesh, doctor at Apollo Specialty Hospital.
Leptospirosis has been a common health concern of doctors since children are the most affected due to large exposure to rainwater. “As children play around, they unknowingly carry infections that can be hazardous. So parents should be careful and give warm water bath if children have been outside in rain,” she added.
