It’s rainy days once again!!! waaah time to be more conscious with our health.. as for me, I had to prepare my kids for this season, mahirap magkasakit ng sabay sabay ang apat no! Sharing with you an article from our P&G friends  (text in italics are mine)

READ: 10 Common Health Issues Experienced During Summer

Common Health Issues Experienced During Rainy Days

Cough and bronchitis
In wet and humid weather, you may inhale particles and fumes trapped in the moist air.  When your body detects an obstruction in your air passageways, the immune system makes you cough in an attempt to eject the blockage.  This is why a cough usually follows the onset of a cold.  Most simple coughs go away after they’ve run their natural course, but you can ease your recovery with plenty of rest and over-the-counter cough medicine.
On the other hand, a cough could intensify to bronchitis if your air passages become infected, so preventive measures are important.  Avoid people who have a cold or the flu, and get yourself immunized annually with flu and pneumonia vaccines.  If you smoke, quit – smoking lowers your defenses against infection.  Also avoid damp and polluted areas.  And don’t forget to wash your hands regularly.

The common cold and pneumonia
The cold virus is transmitted by contact.    Cold symptoms are actually your immune system’s way of defending your body.  It produces mucus and constricts your nose and throat to ward off the virus.  The process is not unlike having a fierce battle going on inside your body, and can leave you feeling drained of energy.  Fatigue and emotional stress can decrease immunity and further increase your vulnerability to the virus.

To avoid catching and spreading the cold virus, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing to prevent the virus being released into the air.  Because even inanimate objects, like a doorknob or countertop, and water can carry the cold virus, it’s important to keep your home clean and to be careful not to be caught in the rain!  Also, wash and bathe with an anti-bacterial soap like Safeguard to kill germs.

If you already have a cold, a warm bath will help clear your respiratory track.  Drink plenty of liquid to replenish your body’s store, and watch for signs of dehydration.

It is not advisable to ignore a cold.  When bacteria or virus reaches your lungs, you could very easily catch pneumonia, one of the top causes of deaths in the Philippines.  If the cold symptoms worsen or last more than a few days, see your doctor.

Do you know why cold is most common during the rainy days, as well as cough? Based on my readings, our body, during cold season, works overtime to balance our body temp. Our immune system weakens because part of the energy in our body where used to balance our temp. In lay’s man term, if you’re putting much effort cleaning your house, you won’t have energy doing the laundry. got it? 

READ: The Top Leading Causes of Death Among Filipino Children: Pneumonia and Diarrhea

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is very common during the rainy season, and is the biggest killer of children under 6 years old.  It is characterized by a high frequency of bowel movement, inability to delay defecation until an appropriate time, and increased looseness of stool.

Diarrhea occurs when viruses, bacteria, parasites or poisons are ingested and the body responds by trying to eject the toxins. If it is acute and continuous, severe dehydration and body weakness can result.  People with diarrhea should take plenty of water to replenish body fluids.  The best treatment is to wait it out.  Do not take medicine that will keep stool in; this will only serve to aggravate the condition.  If it lasts for more than a few days or is particularly virulent, see your doctor.

To prevent diarrhea, drink only clean filtered water and freshly prepared food.  Wash frequently to get rid of toxins from the things you touched.

It’s hard to find information on why Diarrhea is also rampant on rainy days. I guess the weakening of the immune system also has to do with this.

Leptospirosis
The Department of Health has repeatedly warned of the risk of leptospirosis in flood-prone areas.  This is because floodwaters can contain rat urine, the common carrier of the bacteria that causes the disease.  The spirochete bacteria can enter your body if you accidentally drink the contaminated water, or through an open wound.

Leptospirosis is a serious disease, typified by a high fever, vomiting and extreme muscle pain.  Its symptoms escalate rapidly and can lead to death.

To prevent infection, wear rain boots if wading through floodwaters is unavoidable.  Wash straightaway with an anti-bacterial soap like Safeguard, making sure to scrub well.  And immediately see a doctor if you develop any of the symptoms.

With proper prevention, rains and floods need not be the cause of major health concerns.  Remember the adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Can I just say that washing with anti bacterial soap really helps a lot in keeping you healthy and disease free (of course it also counts that you eat right, sleep well and drink plenty of water).

READ>> Proper way to wash your hands. 

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