Monsoon comes to us as a relief from the hot and sweaty summer. The cool breeze, pitter-patter sound of rain, and that beautiful earthy smell. However, it also brings diseases along with it and our kids are the most prone to it. Not so good anymore huh? 

Even though there are many things to enjoy during the monsoon, our priority is the safety of our kids and taking precautions so that they can enjoy the season as well and the added fear of Covid-19 certainly does not help. 

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Covid-19 in kids is not very common but, this season and the approaching third wave indicate otherwise. During the monsoon season, the probability of diseases such as cold, cough, fever, etc. are quite high and to no surprise, the symptoms of our not-so-beloved covid-19 are also similar. This has also led to an increased panic among parents. Dr. Nihar Parekh (@drniharparekh) on Instagram recently shared a video in which he talks about this increased panic and how we can overcome it. 

Even though fever might be a covid symptom but it is not necessarily sure that your child has covid. However, it is advised to mask up and treat them. Also, get their flu shots. The flu shots don’t prevent the diseases completely but they sure help against it getting severe. Sadly our kids aren’t able to enjoy the season like we used to, but a few precautionary steps will result in a beautiful and mask-free future. There are a few other things that we can do at home to protect our little people and make it a happy and free-flu season. like:

Mosquito proof the home

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Monsoon brings along with it the problem of waterlogging which also leads to the arrival and multiplication of mosquitoes that cause dengue and malaria. Therefore, to avoid this situation ensure that there is no water stagnation in and around your home by regularly draining vases, etc. Keep the doors and windows closed during the evenings or even use a mosquito repellent that suits your child’s skin.

Say NO to nail-biting

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This is probably the perfect and well crucial time to stop the nasty habit of nail-biting. trim their nails without fail because there are times when the hands might look clean but there is dirt or bacteria accumulated in the nails which is not visible and the nail-biting will result in bacteria entering the kid’s body and cause gastric diseases.

Avoid buying pre-cut fruits and vegetables

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No matter how clean the fruits and vegetables look, they might still contain bacteria. Pre-cut fruits and vegetables attract the most flies and insects that can spread diseases. Even though you might be buying your pre-cut veggies/fruits from a good grocery store that provides good packaging, you might not know how the chopped veggies and fruits were stored. Were they left open until every item was cut or were they immediately packed? You never know. So, it’s better to buy fresh fruits and vegetables and clean and cook them perfectly before consumption. 

Feed Immunity boosting food

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Since the arrival of covid-19, our research in immunity-boosting food has increased. It is advisable to continue with such food or consult a nutritionist or a pediatrician and make your little one strong!. Also, hot meals are always better than cold. Therefore, avoid meals that do not require cooking like, salads. Or clean and boil the vegetables before for a salad.

Boil water

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Most diseases in monsoons are waterborne. Therefore, it is better to always boil the water first and then consume it since boiling will kill the little chance of bacteria or viruses that the water might contain. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Dry the clothes thoroughly

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Monsoon causes a lot of humidity which is why the clothes might remain a little damp. Make sure to always dry your little ones' clothes and iron them. A little dampness can cause cold and chills.

Personal hygiene

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Kids always tend to get dirty somehow, even when indoors. It is essential that we wash and dry their hands and feet regularly and change clothes. To maintain more hygiene, if your child plays on the floor with scattered toys, ban footwear inside the house for this season at least since the dirt from the footwear might also bring in some of its friends that we do not want to welcome.

Dirt is not always bad! But during times like these, few precautions can help in the long run. Stay indoors, stay safe! And get those coloring books and toys out and have fun with your little ones.