Say goodbye to summer—the rainy season is here! Is your health ready for these rainy day diseases?

1. Respiratory diseases.  These include common colds, flu and sore throat. These diseases spread through coughing, sneezing or direct contact with infected objects. Make sure you wash your hands often and avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
   
2. Food and water diseases. Floods may compromise the safety of our drinking water. Watch out for cholera, typhoid fever, and food poisoning. Boil drinking water if necessary. Always wash your hands carefully before cooking and eating.
   
3. Dengue. This is transmitted by mosquitoes infected with any of the four dengue viruses. Its symptoms include high fever, headaches, joint pains and rashes. Complications may lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or death. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters so keep canals, gutters, and flower vases clean.
   
4. Leptospirosis. This is caused by exposure of open wounds to water contaminated with animal wastes, such as rats’ urine. Wear rubber boots and avoid wading through floods.
   
5. Fungal infections. Fungi thrive in wet environments. Practice proper hygiene and avoid wearing damp clothes.

Make sure your family is ready for these rain-related health risks.