Don’t drink that water! Monsoon rains could pose major risk to your liver – Healthcare News

As the monsoon showers bring relief from the intense heatwave, they also bring a spike in waterborne infections, especially those that can silently damage your liver. Experts are warning that liver infections like viral hepatitis A and E tend to increase during this season due to poor hygiene and contaminated water, particularly in areas with limited access to clean drinking water.

“The liver is one of the most hardworking organs in the human body. It performs over 500 vital functions, from filtering toxins to fighting infections,” says Dr. Kanchan Motwani, Consultant, HPB and Liver Transplant, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. “But it’s also an organ that can suffer silently. Many liver diseases don’t show symptoms until significant damage is done,” she further added.

Why liver infections spike during the rains

Hepatitis A and E, both spread through contaminated food and water, are more common in the rainy season when flooding and poor sanitation mix with drinking water sources. These infections can cause acute liver inflammation and in some cases, lead to liver failure. Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and pregnant women are especially at risk.

“During monsoons, people often unknowingly consume water that’s been contaminated with faecal matter, which is the main way hepatitis A and E viruses spread,” explains Dr. Motwani. “The symptoms might appear mild at first like fatigue, nausea, or mild fever but can escalate to jaundice or abdominal pain.”

Prevention begins at home

The good news is that monsoon-related liver infections are largely preventable. Dr. Motwani advises families to stick to clean, filtered or boiled water, practice regular handwashing, and eat freshly cooked meals. “These simple steps go a long way in protecting your liver during this vulnerable season,” she says.

Vaccination also plays a key role. While there is no vaccine for hepatitis E yet, vaccines for hepatitis A and B are available and effective. “Those at high risk, including travellers and people with chronic conditions, should definitely consider getting vaccinated,” Dr. Motwani adds.

Debunking liver detox myths

While many people turn to liver detox kits or herbal supplements during seasonal changes, experts warn against blindly following such trends.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there about ‘detoxing’ your liver,” says Dr. Motwani. “The liver is naturally capable of detoxifying the body, it doesn’t need extreme juice cleanses or herbal pills. In fact, some of these products can harm your liver rather than help it,” she further adds.

Instead of falling for marketing gimmicks, focus on long-term habits: drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol, and avoid unnecessary medication.

A monsoon liver wellness checklist

• Drink only clean, boiled, or filtered water
• Eat home-cooked, hygienic meals
• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and self-medication
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
• Schedule regular check-ups if you’re in a high-risk group

“As the rains come in full swing, don’t let preventable liver infections catch you off guard,” says Dr. Motwani. Monsoon wellness is not just about immunity boosters, it’s about making informed choices every day to keep yourself safe and healthy.