Poor hygiene, sanitation cause rise of WILD diseases
As the frequency of rainy days increases, The Generics Pharmacy (TGP), the country’s largest drugstore chain, urges the public to practice good hygiene and proper waste disposal to keep waterborne and respiratory diseases at bay.
The Department of Health (DOH) said poor community hygiene and sanitation are the reasons why the cases of WILD diseases ( Waterborne,
Influenza, Leptospirosis and Dengue) increase during the monsoon season.
Dengue cases alone from Jan. 1 to Aug. 6 this year is 15.8 percent higher compared to the same period last year. The DOH has recorded over 84,000 suspected cases, and out of this number, almost 400 people died.
The World Health Organization also reported that the series of foodand waterborne outbreaks recorded in the last five years “could have been minimized if improvement in access to sanitation facilities had been given full attention.”
TGP, which also advocates overall wellness, stressed that hygiene in the community starts at home – from handwashing to proper waste disposal.
“Prevention of WILD diseases should not only concern the government, the poor, or those living in affected areas. Each of us is responsible and should do our share in preventing these diseases,” said TGP vice chairman Benjamin Liuson.
Handwashing is the easiest and most practical way to prevent the spread of germs, especially after exposure to feces or urine. Proper handwashing avoids transmission of viruses, bacteria and infections and helps in battling diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.
Proper disposal of garbage, on the other hand, alleviates food- and waterborne diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, typhoid fever, amoebiasis, among others.
Wastes also clog waterways that may contaminate busted pipes especially during flooding. Moreover, these may also create stagnant water that can become breeding ground for mosquitoes and rats, which are carriers of dengue, malaria, zika, chikungunya, leptospirosis and the likes.
TGP added that boosting the immune system through healthy, clean lifestyle and proper diet also helps lower risk to WILD diseases. Stocking up on medicines such as vitamin C, TGP Paracetamol, antihistamine, decongestant and loperamide also contributes in dodging WILD diseases.
Don’t just “save for life’s rainy day.” Be prepared for the rainy season by practicing proper hygiene and sanitation at home and in the community. For affordable and effective medicines, go to any TGP stores nationwide. It also offers maintenance medicines for the heart, diabetes and cholesterol, which are on the average 80 percent more affordable than branded medicines.