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| “SPEAK YOUR MIND”- A DOCTOR’S PAGE |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 3 | Page : 200 |
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Monsoons: The season of good health and cheer
Ravi Bhatia
Department of Pediatrics, Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
| Date of Submission | 04-Aug-2022 |
| Date of Decision | 26-Feb-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 27-Apr-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 14-Aug-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Ravi Bhatia
Department of Pediatrics, Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/ipcares.ipcares_184_22
How to cite this article:
Bhatia R. Monsoons: The season of good health and cheer. Indian Pediatr Case Rep 2023;3:200 |
Monsoon evenings can be dull and dreary. When the rains pour down as cats and dogs, one has nothing to do apart from wait in the clinic for patients to come. It was one such dreary evening when hunched over my smartphone, I heard a soft knock on the door to my chamber. In came a young medical representative, completely drenched. I was quite surprised that he had come to visit in such inclement weather, but then one has to do whatever it takes to earn one's living. While introducing his gamut of products, he stressed upon the latest anticold preparation launched by his company. “It is effective, tasty, smells good….” he droned on, but the last cheerful statement that he made before parting caught my attention, “Sir, the last few months have been really bad for us. Now, that the season has come, we look forward to your support.”
The man was referring to the current monsoon season which was in full flow. Along with the flurry of rains and the sprouting of leaves, the monsoons had brought with it the usual array of seasonal illnesses such as infectious hepatitis, upper respiratory infections and acute gastroenteritis. The deserted clinic was full again, teeming with irritable kids and their anxious parents, awaiting their turn to be examined and hoping that they would be reassured that everything would be just fine. It is a harrowing experience for any parent to deal with loose motions that erupt like as Mount Vesuvius, a running nose that does not stop flowing and a cough that sounds like a disorganized orchestra without a conductor. My WhatsApp inbox was flooded with queries revolving around common themes - when would the fever come down; when would the rash disappear; how do I deal with a cough so harsh that it scares the pet dog out of his slumber; and more. Loose motions are a challenging experience for parents as well as treating physicians. Some of the more meticulous caregivers post photographs of the material passed and expect immediate replies; one has to patiently and repeatedly explain that it can take up to a week for symptoms to resolve, and answer queries as to which brand of probiotic is to be given.
Fellow colleagues who were worried about their dwindling practice had a spring in their steps, now that “the season” had arrived. Who does not like a full outpatient department? The pen starts flowing, the gray cells start working overtime, the heart is filled with joy at seeing kids recover, and the pharmacy chap has a smile on his face as his stock is finally moving. Everyone is happy. At the end of the day, one feels exhausted, the mind is empty but the wallet is full. Suddenly, one's throat feels scratchy, the nose starts running and the body feels warm. Oh God! The monsoon bug has bitten me as well. In bed, sleepy due to the anti-allergic drugs I have dosed myself with, I find myself in the beloved arms of Morpheus with a slightly modified prayer for this “particular” season of life (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 [New International Version (NIV)]): There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. Lord, let this season of good health and cheer continue to be as bountiful….
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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