Monsoons: Enjoy The Showers Of Blessings With A Little Caution

Monsoon plays such an important role in India's farm dependent $2 trillion economy. When the scorching summer heats seems to dry up the last drop of moisture from the soil and when it seems like an unending circle of heat, sweat and blinding sun, nature responds to the burst of clouds and the showers cools down the parched Earth giving it a new lease of life. The dry land once more become lush green carpet exuding the so familiar earthy scents and fragrances that feel our senses to the brim after the heat spells.
Monsoon is crucial for our country as it is the most important source of water supply for agriculture, industry and all household consumptions throughout the year. India looks eagerly towards a good monsoon season as it gets 70 percent of its annual rainfall during the monsoons.
India is primarily an agrarian economy and agriculture contributes 16 percent of the country's GDP. It is important for all the crop cycles as it has an impact on the ground water and also fills up the reservoirs that supplies the necessary water till the next monsoon fills them up to the brim. Good monsoon means bumper crop and that keeps food prices under control and the inflation in check.
Monsoon not only brings the temperatures down but it makes everything around green and beautiful. The plants all around that had almost become barren spring back to life with new vigor.
However, monsoons do have some negative effects. Regions with monsoon climate have distinct wet and dry seasons and this makes them prone to either floods or drought. Summer monsoon with too many showers many a times result in floods while inadequate rainfall can be the reason for drought in certain places. Both floods and droughts are hazardous to health.
The ones most affected negatively during the monsoons are the children. Children love monsoons as they get to play in the rain, get wet, sail their boats in the puddles and get unplanned holidays from school in case of heavy rainfall. However, the sudden dip in temperature from extreme heat to wet and cold makes children prone to infections. It is also a season when mosquitoes breed in the stagnant pools of water and these cause many ailments like, dengue, malaria and other diseases. The monsoon season is also the time when the viruses have a party because they thrive and multiply in hot and humid climate. Most often during monsoons children suffer from respiratory illness caused by viruses, like respiratory syncytial virus, adeno virus, rhino virus, S pneumonia, and H influenza.
Children should be allowed to enjoy the monsoons but with proper precautions. They should wash their hands properly with soap every time they return from outdoors. Not stay in wet clothes, use umbrellas and raincoats. Wear comfortable clothes and drink plenty of water and warm drinks. In case of any respiratory infections a visit to the doctor is a must. Children should also be administered the complete course of medicine to avoid a relapse.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena
Content: https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/health-fitness/common-respiratory-problems-in-kids-monsoon-5892343/