Health Tips on Prevention of Summer illnesses
It's the sizzling Indian summer and temperatures are soaring with no respite in site. So what do the conversations revolve around at home, the office or at a party? Not the unbearable heat but rather the hazardous drinking water that is making a lot of people sick.

Whats worrisome is that this is just the beginning of the summer season when - power cuts are the norm, erratic water supply is the reality, parched throats and a heavy headed feeling due to the scorching sun are a given. These inevitably lead one to seek any fluid which will provide relief - water, juices, golas, local ice candies and ice creams - any thing which will prevent dehydration. Sometimes, bottled water is not available so one caves in to drink whatever is. The next thing you know is that your bathroom is your refuge for the next few days as you throw up viciously, with cramps and diarrhea.                                                                                                                                                                    
In urban India, water is supplied by tankers for household usage. Nobody has an inkling if the water is potable; whether it is treated and fit for domestic consumption.

On one other front, hospitals are already reporting new cases of heat stroke, summer diarrhea (bloody and watery), conditions which in turn again lead to dehydration and death. Then there is the latest scare from jaundice with Mumbai and Shimla reporting unexplainable major outbreaks considering the monsoon season hasn't even started yet. Many more cities will probably follow soon as the case is no different. According to WHO there are 4 billion cases of diarrhea worldwide with most cases being in the developing countries and afflicting children under 5 years of age. The only certainty is that it is due to drinking contaminated water.

Pediatricians have now issued a caution, advising parents and children to ensure that all drinking water outside their homes should be avoided altogether unless they are sure of its hygiene or source. They recommend that children especially toddlers should be well hydrated and should have a bath twice a day to prevent boils and skin infections, and the source of water should be safe and hygienic. They strongly recommend Hepatitis A and B vaccines, the effect of which lasts three years as also vaccinating for chicken pox and 2nd dose of MMR.

As it is the beginning of holidays many parents take off for small vacations before it gets hotter many others send children to summer camps. All this requires more vigil with regards to what children drink and eat when on the move. They should be strongly advised especially when it comes to being hydrated but ensuring that the children drink only safe hygienic water.

In spite of these unhygienic circumstances one must stay hydrated during the hot summer days by drinking plenty of fluids. Carry a bottle of water with you everywhere. Make sure your water container remains covered at all times. Drink water only from safe water sources, or treat the water yourself (see a few suggestions below). The microbe Giardia is found in 90% of untreated lakes and streams, which can cause chronic diarrhea and vomiting.

There are several basic ways to treat water:
Boiling: Boil water for at least 15 minutes
Iodine tablets: Drop 2-3 tablets into the water and wait 30 minutes before drinking
Use of filters and reverse osmosis treatment units: These do work very well, but in the case of pregnant women and small children and those with compromised immune systems additional boiling is recommended specially when there have been heavy downpours, flooding and there may be sewer water contamination.

Basic rule is, during the monsoons / rainy season drinking water must always be boiled.

Water Handling Hygiene: Among the times you should wash your hands: before preparing, serving, and eating food; after using the toilet; after touching any contaminated items (uncooked meats, toilets, after contact with pets/animals; after coming in contact with natural water sources)

Five Basic Tips for preventing bacterial infections.

1. Do not drink un-boiled and/or unfiltered water especially that has come from a tanker.
2. Do not allow children, the elderly or pregnant women to brush their teeth with this untreated water.
3. Do not eat cut fruits sold in the open (as fruit chat or otherwise)
4. Do not eat raw salads, if the vegetables may have been washed in an improper manner.
5. Do not drink any locally made juice, ice cream sodas and sip on golas and ice candies

A little caution exercised will go a long way for a healthy summer.            

By.Vijayalakshmi Iyengar
Sr. Dietitian, NutritionVista.com

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