Here come the Rains Again

The rains have come around once again. As usual, the frequent showers and downpours don’t come all by themselves. There are always ugly companions that come along.

Certain diseases emerge during the rainy season – and more during typhoons. It’s bad enough that the downpours cause flooding in many areas. Worse if one falls ill in such environmental condition.

Health authorities have once again reminded the public to be watchful and careful in order to prevent or at least minimize the chances of getting sick during this time. An advisory from the Department of Health (DOH) states: “Typhoons and heavy rains may cause flooding which, in turn, can potentially increase the transmission of water-borne diseases, or diseases transmitted through water contaminated with human or animal waste.”

The common diseases during the rainy season include dengue, leptospirosis, cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and influenza. Certain precautions and hygienic practices will help lessen the chances of one contracting these diseases. The DOH generally recommends the following:

• Maintain proper hygiene. This includes wearing clean, comfortable clothing, taking a bath daily, and washing hands properly before and after eating as well as after using the toilet.

• Drink only clean water. When in doubt, boil water for two minutes or longer or chlorinate drinking water to make it safe.

• Cook food properly.

• Dispose of household wastes properly.

• When a member of the household gets sick, especially if there’s a sign of infection, a doctor shall be sought at once or the patient taken to the nearest health facility.

• Avoid wading or swimming in flood waters.

The DOH also gives particular measures to help the public stay away from common rainy-day diseases:

Dengue –

• Cover water drums or pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

• Replace water in flower vases once a week.

• Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub thoroughly to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking on the sides.

• Clean gutters of fallen leaves and debris so that rainwater will not collect and become breeding places of mosquitoes.

• Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water in them.

• Collect and dispose of all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.

Leptospirosis –

• Avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water.

• Use proper protection like boots and gloves when doing work that requires exposure to contaminated water.

• Drain off potentially contaminated water.

• Control rats in the household by using rat traps or rat poison.

Cholera –

• Drink only safe and clean water. Boil or chlorinate drinking water, if need be.

• Keep food away from insects and rats.

• Wash and cook food properly.

• Observe sanitary disposal of household wastes.

• Clean the toilet every day, and use it properly.

• Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet.

• Keep surroundings clean to prevent flies and other insects and rodents from breeding.

Hepatitis A –

• Wash hands after using the toilet, before preparing food, and before eating

• Dispose of household wastes properly.

• Thoroughly cook oysters, clams, and other shellfish (cook for four minutes or steam for about two minutes).

• Practice safe handling and storage of food and water.

Typhoid Fever –

• Boil or chlorinate water for drinking.

• Cook food well and always use food cover to prevent contamination by flies and other insects.

• Wash thoroughly all vegetables and fruits, especially those that are eaten raw.

• Avoid eating foods sold in the streets.

• Wash hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.

• Keep surroundings clean to prevent breeding of flies and rodents.

INflUENZA –

• Have members of the household get flu immunization (preferably within February to June).

• Provide a separate room for a person sick with influenza.

• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing to prevent spread of the virus.

• Avoid crowded places. Keep distance of at least meter from people who are coughing or are sick with influenza.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

As the popular saying goes: “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” Getting ill is not only costly – it can be deadly!