5 Diseases You Need to Watch Out for Right Now

In the Philippines, rainy season is the best time for people to stock up on their medicine for coughs and colds. It is after all a season well-known for causing all kinds of sickness here and there.

The Department of Health in the country is warning Filipinos to be on high alert regarding certain diseases that they may acquire on this season. Here are some of them.

Dengue

This disease is transferrable through being bitten by an Aedes mosquito. Its fever can have detrimental effects to patients particularly those who are children.

Symptoms:

• Mild bleeding
• Skin rash
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Severe joint and muscle pain
• Pain behind your eyes
• Severe headaches
• Unexpected high fever

Prevention:

• Stop mosquitoes from breeding by covering water pails and water drums at all times
• If you have a flower vase, replace the water inside it for at least once a week
• Clean all of your water containers every week. Make sure to scrub all the side areas to remove the mosquitoes’ eggs
• Clear your gutters from any debris or leaves to make sure rainwater is not stored in it as a breeding area for mosquitoes
• Cut holes into the old tires you use to support your roof to avoid water storing inside it.
• Throw away every container-like item such as bottles and tin cans that can hold water

Leptospirosis

This is a bacterial infection caused by faeces and urine of rodents and other infected animals. You can also get it from contaminated vegetation, water, and soil.

Signs:

• Reddish eyes and calf-muscle pain
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Fever

Prevention:

• Avoid flood waters as much as possible
• Use gloves and boots
• Remove all possible contaminated water
• Use rat poison or rat traps to get rid of rodents in your house
• Regularly clean your home to avoid infection

Influenza

Influenza is a viral infection that aims to attack your respiratory system. It can transmit from an infected person who sneezes or coughs.

Signs:

• Joint or muscle pains
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• 38 degree C fever

Prevention:

• Do not go into crowded areas
• Cover your nose and mouth whenever you are coughing or sneezing
• Always wash your hands
• Get a flu vaccine annually
• Distance yourself and minimize your contact by 1 metre from an infected person

Typhoid Fever

This disease in infectious and can spread through a close contact with an infected individual or through contaminated water or food.

Signs:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Appetite loss
• Malaise
• Headache
• Continuous high fever

Prevention:

• Always drink distilled or mineral water
• Cook your food well and cover them afterwards to prevent flies or other insects from contaminating them
• Don’t eat unsanitary food
• Always wash your hands after using the toilet and before you eat.
• Discourage flies from breeding by keeping your environment clean
• Take the World Health Organization qualified oral injectable vaccines to be immune from the disease

Hepatitis A

This is a virus that can be transmitted from one individual to another.
Signs:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Flu-like symptoms
• Fever

Prevention:

• Regularly wash your hands especially before eating and preparing your food as well as after using the toilet
• Get rid of human waste properly
• Cook clams, oysters, and other shellfish thoroughly
• Safely store your water and food

All of these signs and preventions should help you avoid getting these diseases during the rainy season. Do not hesitate to see your doctor if you are experiencing any of them.