Being pozzies with a compromised immune system, we should always be on the guard against infections. The country now is in its season of typhoons and monsoon rains, thus floodings and torrential rain can’t be avoided. It is very important for us HIV positives to be very careful in getting infections as our immune system can’t recover fully if we face another bout of infections
Rainy season brings lot of fun, greenery and cool climate with it. However, it also invites lot of health disorders as well. Dealing with such illnesses associated with rainy season is not very difficult. People should be aware of these problems so that they can take necessary precautions during this season. The most common illness is related to respiratory system and water and food borne diseases and cannot be overlooked.
COMMON ILLNESSES DURING THE RAINY SEASON
- Dengue
- Cold
- Flu
- Food infection
- Water infection
- Cholera
- Leptospirosos is caused by bacteria that can be carried either by a man or some animal. Its severe form can damage kidney, lever, meningitis and respiratory failure.
The infectious diseases to guard against this wet season include a range of respiratory diseases, food and water-borne diseases, and leptospirosis.
The infectious diseases of the respiratory tract that are associated with the rainy season are usually transmitted by droplets or by direct contact with objects that have been contaminated with the secretion of infected people. They include the common cold, flu, and a variety of upper respiratory tract infections. The common cold is a generally benign and self-limiting infection of the nose and upper respiratory tract that is caused by many different viruses. The flu on the other hand, has more severe signs and symptoms than the common cold. It is also a viral infection, but the viruses that cause it are the influenza type A & B viruses, which frequently mutate and add new pathogenic strains to the influenza viral pool. The newest addition to the influenza viral pool is of course the much celebrated influenza A (H1N1) virus. The other upper respiratory tract infections that occur during the rainy season are likewise generally benign, but as in the case of flu and even the common cold, they sometimes complicate (e.g., pneumonia) and become life-threatening.
The food and water-borne infections that are widespread during the wet season primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract and very often present as diarrhea and/or vomiting. Among the bacteria that cause diarrheal diseases are several species of salmonella and shigella that are transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food and water. One particular type of salmonella, Salmonella typhi is the causative agent for typhoid fever, a disease that is characterized by high-grade fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation. A significant percentage of patients who contract typhoid fever develop serious complications that include pneumonia, meningitis, and damage to many other organs.
A particularly dreadful food and water-borne infection is cholera that is caused by several serotypes of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Cholera typically presents as sudden and profuse diarrhea leading to rapid dehydration. If untreated, cholera patients die in a matter of hours.
Leptospirosis, meanwhile, is a potentially serious illness that is caused by bacteria that is carried by many domestic and wild animals. In its severe form, the disease causes kidney damage, liver and respiratory failure, and meningitis. Humans usually get leptospirosis when they get in contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
Although the rains carry with them the risk of contracting certain infectious diseases, it is possible to minimize this risk by observing some simple measures:
- Employ rain gear such as umbrellas and raincoats to avoid exposure to rain and cold weather.
- Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated areas.
- Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
- Drink only safe water—boil water if its safety is in doubt.
- If you need to eat out, patronize reputable restaurants only. Refrain from eating food bought from ambulant peddlers.
- Drain stagnant water from open containers such as drums and old tires, which are the breeding places of mosquitoes. Ensure that drains and gutters and sewage lines are not clogged.
- Do not wade or swim in floodwaters.
- At all times, observe good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation. This include thorough washing of hands with soap and water especially before eating or touching the eyes and nose with the hands.
- If one wades in flood, be sure to shower fast as one gets home, wash with soap and water the body parts that came in contact with flood water then towel dry. Best to apply rubbing alcohol onto the body parts.
- Consult with your ID doctor/ HIV doctor if you feel you’re catching something. Report if you waded in flood water or if you have fever. Don't self medicate. Ask before taking any medicines.
It is very important to keep yourself protected during the rainy season because you can catch infection frequently. It is always better to take precautions and be prepared whenever you go out of your home.