Avoid contaminated water, cut fruits in summer: Expert

ALLAHABAD: The hot and sultry weather is its taking toll on the health of people. Dusty winds are causing respiratory tract infections in children and the elderly. There has been a steep rise in the number of patients complaining of wheezing, severe cough, chest congestion, fever, gastroenteritis, eye infections at city hospitals, clinics and primary\community health centres in rural parts of various districts.
"Pollen grains in the air cause various respiratory tract infections and number of patients increases in such weather," said Dr Vivek Srivastava, deputy CMO, Allahabad. He added, "Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Dust particles affect lungs, particularly of minors."
From 250 to 400 patients suffering from various aliments are being examined by doctors at the OPDs of government hospitals, primary/community health centres and doctors advise people to avoid smoke and going to areas with high dust content and also avoid inhaling aromatic sprays and mosquito repellents.
The threat of water-borne diseases also looms large in such weather as people consume more juices and fluids. Diseases such as stomach flu, gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid are common during the summers.
"In old city areas of Allahabad, most of the patients are suffering from gastroenteritis. Consumption of contaminated water also causes gastroenteritis," said Dr SAM Meesum, senior medical officer, community health. He added, "People should be very cautious and avoid eating at road-side eateries."
He advised people to eat well-cooked food and drink bottled water and only fresh fruit juices extracted at home. Such precautions will minimise the risk of contracting stomach infections, he said. Dr V B Singh said, "Eating light food with lots of fluids such as lime water helps in controlling stomach infections. If there is an infection, anti-biotics are offered to the patients."Doctors said that heat and dusty weather also aggravates the cases of eye infections. As eyes are sensitive and prone to infections, it is advisable to wear wide-rimmed sunglasses while going out.
Weather woes and seasonal diseases
Common cough: Doctors claim that cough is body's system of keeping air passage clear. But frequent coughing or people having breathing problems on frequent intervals could be suffering from respiratory tract infections. Dusty weather plays havoc with the patients suffering from respiratory track problems.
Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines causes gastroenteritis. The symptoms are diarrhoea, nausea, cramps and vomiting. Always consume clean potable water and avoid eating from road-side dhabas and eateries.
Typhoid: In case of typhoid, patients usually have symptoms like high fever, headache, backache, diarrhoea or constipation, patches on tongue. It basically affects intestines and also causes ulceration of the intestines.
Jaundice: When it comes to complaining jaundice, liver gets swollen. Patches of liver tissue may be destroyed as a result of inflammation. Doctors claim symptoms of jaundice normally appear after two to six weeks with infection of virus and include loss of hunger, fever, body-ache and fatigue.
Chest congestion and asthma: When you feel heaviness in chest or pain while breathing, approach your doctor as these are the symptoms of chest congestion. Doctors claim that in case of chest congestion, lungs are not able to expand fully.
Conjunctivitis: Symptoms such as pink and watery eyes clearly indicate about conjunctivitis as it is a common eye infection.