Where monsoon season brings a lot of rain and happiness, it also brings challenges. While it replenishes the fields and fills the rivers, it also brings a wave of monsoon diseases in Pakistan.
The change in weather and continuous rainfall brings a lot of monsoon diseases that affect many people in Pakistan. However, there are many ways in which you can prevent these diseases and stay healthy during the monsoon.
It is important to understand the monsoon diseases in Pakistan to prevent and effectively manage them for your health.
In this blog, we will look into the common monsoon diseases in Pakistan, their cause, and prevention.
Common Monsoon Diseases in Pakistan
1. Waterborne Diseases
One of the major impacts of the monsoon season in Pakistan is the increased prevalence of waterborne diseases. Flooding and heavy rains can contaminate water sources which can cause waterborne disease outbreaks.
Some of the waterborne diseases are as follows:
1. Cholera
Cholera is a bacteria infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted through contaminated food or water which causes dehydration and severe diarrhea.
It is an acute diarrheal infection that can get away when taken proper precautionary measures. However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to a serious form of diarrhea.
2. Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. This spreads through the ingestion of contaminated water or food. The common symptoms of typhoid are prolonged fever, gastrointestinal issues, headache, etc.
It is highly contagious and can be life-threatening. It can easily spread from person to person through the fecal-oral route.
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According to the World Health Organization, every year Typhoid affects 11-20 million people worldwide.
It is responsible for the deaths of 161,000 people annually.
From 2016-2018, the total number of typhoid cases reported by the Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (PDSRU) in Sindh was 8188.
The ideal climate for the growth of typhoid bacteria is monsoon season.
2. Vector-Borne Diseases
Monsoon season in Pakistan has favorable conditions for the growth and reproduction of mosquitoes and other vectors, including dengue fever, malaria, chikungunya, etc.
After heavy rainfall, water accumulates in containers, puddles, etc which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. This increases the risk of vector-borne diseases.
Some of the common vector-borne diseases in Pakistan are as follows:
3. Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is the most common and prevalent monsoon disease in Pakistan. It is caused by a mosquito called Aedes aegypti. This mosquito is linked with polluted and stagnant rainwater.
Rainwater often accumulates and stays for a longer period on streets, dumps, and in parks. This is the perfect habitat and breeding ground for mosquito larvae. These larvae then mature into mosquitoes which can cause fatal dengue fever.
Some common symptoms of dengue fever include sudden high fever, pain behind the eyes, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, skin rash, etc. Dengue fever causes a rapid decrease in platelet count in the blood which is difficult to regain.
If the condition persists and becomes severe, it can cause dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is a fatal condition.
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As per WHO, since 2010, there have been 16,580 dengue cases alone in Lahore. Moreover, in other cities of Pakistan, more than 5000 cases have been reported. However, the original number of infected individuals can be more than this number.
4. Malaria
Malaria, a parasitic infection, is the second most common and prevalent monsoon disease in Pakistan. It is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, causing symptoms like fever, flu-like conditions, chills, etc.
As per recent stats, it is also the 5th leading cause of death in the world. The root cause of malaria is also stagnant water. Severe cases of this disease can cause organ failure and if left untreated then it can also cause death.
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5. Chikungunya
Chikungunya is another viral disease which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It causes joint pain, fever, headache, and rash. It is rarely fatal and causes joint pain for months or even years.
It is important to control the mosquito population and raise public awareness to prevent chikungunya during the monsoon season in Pakistan.
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3. Respiratory Infections
Other than waterborne and vector-borne diseases, the monsoon season in Pakistan also faces an elevation in respiratory infections. Damp environments, crowded living conditions, and fluctuating temperatures contribute to respiratory viruses spread. Some of the common respiratory viruses are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.
Some of the common respiratory infections are as follows:
6. Influenza (Flu)
Influenza is a viral infection that causes flu, fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and body aches. Mostly elderly and young children are vulnerable to influenza. It can lead to severe complications like pneumonia.
7. Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is common in infants and young children. It causes mild cold-like symptoms which can also lead to severe respiratory illness (especially in people with weak immune systems).
4. Other Monsoon Diseases in Pakistan
8. Gastric Issues
In South Asian countries, gastric issues become common during monsoon season. In Pakistan, the cases of major gastric issues like gastroenteritis which is caused by bacteria & viruses. When the water from sewage gets mixed with normal underground water, it can cause issues like gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis is also known as Stomach Flu. It is a viral infection caused by rotavirus. It is characterized by vomiting, nausea, fever, and diarrhea.
9. Hepatitis A and E
Hepatitis A and E are liver diseases that spread primarily through water and food contamination. Due to the excessive rains, the pipelines overflow, gutter clogs, etc water becomes stagnant. It also causes sewage to seep through the water supply lines and water tanks.
It is common in Pakistan. It was reported that 1 in 10 people in Pakistan has some form of hepatitis.
10. Skin Allergies
In areas where flood hits, skin allergies are frequent. Due to the lack of a proper drainage system, water often stays for long periods. The stagnant water becomes a habitat and breeding ground for many tiny living microorganisms. These harmful microbes then cause different skin allergies and also cause skin sensitivities.
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How to Prevent Monsoon Diseases in Pakistan?
You can follow some of the precautionary measures to prevent monsoon diseases in Pakistan:
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Practice Good Hygiene
Hygiene is the most important thing to safeguard your body against any disease. You should practice good hygiene by staying clean and keeping things clean around yourself.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands after and before meals. Keep your body clean by taking a shower daily.
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Discard Stagnant Water
Do not let water stand in pots, pits, or plants. It can prevent the mosquitoes from growing and breeding.
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Keep Mosquitoes Away
Wear full-sleeved shirts to prevent any mosquito bites when going outside.
Use mosquito coils, repellants, and mats to keep mosquitoes away.
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Avoid Unhygienic Foods
You should avoid consuming unhygienic and unhealthy foods. You should rely on organic food items. Moreover, prioritize home-cooked food and healthy food options over food from restaurants.
Unhygienic foods can cause gut-related diseases, diarrhea, etc.
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Drink Clean Water
During the monsoon season in Pakistan, water contamination is very common. Therefore, you should focus on drinking clean water. Use bottled or clean tap water.
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Avoid Crowded Places
Monsoon diseases in Pakistan also give rise to contagious diseases that can spread from one person to another.
Therefore, you should maintain a safe distance from others and avoid going out in crowded places like markets, shopping malls, etc.
کھڑے ہوکر پانی پینے کے صحت پہ اثرات
Key Takeaways
Monsoon season brings rainfall and happiness and takes away scorching heat. On the other hand, due to poor sanitary and sewage conditions in the country, many diseases are prevalent, some of which are also fatal. The change in weather and continuous rainfall brings a lot of monsoon diseases that affect many people in Pakistan.
Some of the monsoon diseases in Pakistan include waterborne diseases, vector-borne diseases, respiratory diseases, skin allergies, etc.
To prevent these diseases, it is important to take precautionary measures. You should stay clean, practice good hygiene, use mosquito repellent, avoid unhygienic food, etc.
If you have any of the above medical conditions and need medical attention, then you can consult the best general physician in Lahore via Marham.pk.
Download Marham’s Application
You can also download the Marham application to book your in-clinic and video consultation. Apart from that, you can also avail special discounts on medicines and lab tests.
To download Marham’s application, click here:
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