Monsoon brings welcome relief from the summer heat, but it also comes with a spike in seasonal illnesses, especially among children. The combination of increased humidity, stagnant water, and fluctuating temperatures makes it easier for viruses, bacteria, and fungi to spread. Kids, with their still-developing immune systems, are more vulnerable to infections during this time..

To help parents navigate this tricky season, here are  tips from Dr. Shruthi Purushotham, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysore, to keep your child healthy and safe throughout the monsoon.

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1. Follow COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Dr. Shruthi Purushotham, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysore, advises that basic COVID precautions are to be followed religiously, especially during monsoon when flu and cold viruses also spread easily.

Make sure your child:

• Wears a proper mask in crowded places
• Washes hands regularly or uses sanitiser
• Keeps a safe distance from anyone who seems sick

These steps reduce the chance of catching or spreading viruses.

 2. Say No to Street Food and Undercooked Meals

During the rainy season, food can spoil quickly. Outside food, especially if it’s raw, semi-cooked, uncooked or not reheated well, can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This can eventually lead to stomach infections like typhoid or food poisoning.

To be safe:

• Give fresh, home-cooked food
• Wash fruits properly
• Avoid cut fruits, raw chutneys, or food from unknown places

3. Keep Updated on Vaccinations

Vaccines protect children from serious illnesses like flu, pneumonia, typhoid, and hepatitis. According to Dr. Purushotham, these infections are more common during the monsoon season. Flu shots, for example, lower the risk of severe illness. Typhoid and hepatitis vaccines protect against germs found in dirty water and food.

Talk to your doctor and make sure your child has:

• A yearly flu vaccine
• Pneumonia vaccine
• Typhoid and hepatitis shots

4. Encourage Indoor Physical Activity

Dr. Purushotham emphasises that even when children are stuck indoors due to rain, regular physical activity should not stop. Exercise plays a vital role in strengthening a child’s immune system by improving blood circulation, enhancing oxygen supply to cells, and supporting the production of immune cells like white blood cells. 

Simple activities like dancing, jumping jacks, yoga, or even stretching can be done at home. Just 30 to 45 minutes a day is enough. Think of creative ideas to make indoor activities fun, engaging and requiring physical simulation. Here are a few options:

• Dance challenges
• Story-based yoga
• Treasure hunt with movement clues
• Animal movement games like hoping like a frog or crawling like a bear.

5. Drink Only Clean and Boiled Water

Monsoon season increases the risk of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and jaundice because rainwater often gets contaminated with harmful germs, bacteria, and viruses. Even filtered water may not be safe if the pipes are contaminated. Bringing water to a rolling boil, as recommended by the WHO, is enough to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Once the water boils, take it off the heat and let it cool on its own. After that, it’s safe to drink.

Some tips:

• Use boiled or purified water for drinking and even for brushing
• Avoid ice from outside
• Store water in clean, covered containers

6. Keep Your Surroundings Clean

According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), India recorded over 2 lakh dengue cases in 2023. Dengue spreads through mosquito bites and mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.

To reduce this risk:

• Don’t let water collect in pots, jugs, flower trays, or unused containers
• Change water in pet bowls and coolers regularly
• Clean drains and ensure proper garbage disposal
• Use mosquito nets while sleeping

• Prefer light, full-sleeve clothes for your children 
• Apply child-safe mosquito repellent on exposed skin

These steps reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and malaria.

8. Watch for Skin Infections

A 2022 study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology showed that ringworm (tinea) infections rise by 30 per cent during monsoon. Warm, moist skin is the perfect condition for fungi to grow.

To prevent this:

• Keep your child’s skin dry, especially in skin folds
• Use loose, breathable cotton clothes
• Change damp clothes immediately after they get wet in the rain

If you notice itchy or red patches on the skin, consult a doctor early.

9. Keep Your Home Well Ventilated

High humidity indoors can trigger allergies, asthma, or breathing issues, especially in children who are already sensitive.

To keep the air fresh:

• Open windows for cross-ventilation
• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens
• Avoid carpets or damp furniture that can trap moisture and grow mould

Also, fungus tends to grow on damp walls and in poorly ventilated spaces. Crowded places can also be hotspots for viral infections.

Avoid taking your child to:

• Overcrowded areas like local markets or packed buses
• Places with visible damp patches, mould, or a musty smell

10. No Walking Barefoot in Rain

Do not allow kids to step out barefoot. Rainwater that accumulates in the puddle or as muddy water is a source of very common monsoon illness called as leptospirosis. It is a viral illness that is spread by rats’ urine, which is commonly present in the muddy water or rain water that accumulates on the sides of the roads.

This virus can enter through:

• Small cuts or cracks in your child’s feet
• Direct skin contact with contaminated water

To protect them:

• Always use closed, waterproof footwear during rain
• Wash feet thoroughly if they get wet outside

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