RAINY DAYS

It's the seventh month of the year, once again it's rainy season.
Since it's going to be the time of drizzles to heavy rains,
thunderstorms to typhoons, and many other weather disturbances, we
will be more prone to waterborne diseases. And to not forget the
bacteria left by the flood can cause airborne diseases as well.

Lack of sanitary waste disposal is one of the major causes of water
contamination. It could be exposure to human, animal or chemical
waste. Direct contact or ingestion of dirty water kills many people
every year. The most common outbreaks are bacterial diarrhea, typhoid
fever and hepatitis A.

Two common waterborne causes of bacterial diarrhea are Salmonellosis
and Campylobateriosis. The most common sources of these bacterias are;
exposure to infected animals such as chicken, cattle, birds and flies;
consumption of raw poultry products like eggs, unpasteurised milk and
cheese products; non-chlorinated water and improper human waste
disposal to open water courses.

Typhoid fever is a communicable disease caused by bacteria. People can
be infected through ingestion of water contaminated with fecal matter.
This disease is marked with fever, headache, diarrhea, prostration and
intestinal inflammation.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease transmitted especially by water or food
contaminated with fecal matter. This disease interferes with liver
functions. Symptoms are fever, diarrhea and jaundice. Vaccine for this
disease is already available.

Floodwater caused by typhoons poses health risk to people, even if
it's a rainwater. Microorganisms can still grow in rainwater that may
cause allergic reactions. Waterborne microorganisms and toxins may
increase the risk of developing lung diseases. They may even be
inhaled during cleaning time which may add more complications to lung
diseases.

Buildings as well as furnitures and furnishings exposed to floodwater
may cause growth of microorganisms, molds and insects like dustmites
and cockroaches. They may cause to the development of cough, allergies
and asthma.

Standing water from any flood is a breeding ground for mosquitoes,
thus exposing people to higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases. The
most common diseases carried by mosquitoes are malaria and dengue
fever.

Dengue fever is a viral disease carried by Aedes Aegypti. Symptoms are
fever and severe headache. It may lead to death due to hemorrhage.

Malaria is caused by sporozoan parasites, Plasmodium in the red blood
cells, and is transmitted by female Anopheles. Parasites multiply in
the liver. The disease is characterized by periodic attacks of fever,
chills and sweats. Vital organs damage and interruption of blood
supply to the brain may lead to death.

There is another bacterial disease common during rainy days.
Leptospirosis can be carried by water, food or soil contaminated by
animal urine. Symptoms are high fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea
and jaundice. If it is untreated it may result to meningitis or
respiratory distress, kidney damage and liver failure.

It's fun to bathe in the rain but before we run out of the house to
enjoy the raindrops let us think of the dangers that we may be exposed
of. Maintaining cleanliness at home and with our surroundings and
proper waste disposal will help prevent the growth of microorganisms
and insects that may cause diseases. Remember, prevention is still a
lot better than cure.

Enjoy the rainy season!