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How to prevent infectious diseases during the rainy season

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/18/20180717-habagat-henry-rains-dsc-2374.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Rains brought by the southwest monsoon flood a section of Araneta Avenue in Quezon City on July 17, 2018. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA – Prevention is better than cure.As the rain persists throughout the month of July, there are certain infections that the body is more prone to.In an interview with DZMM, infectious disease specialist Dr. Carmenchu Echiverri-Villavicencio said that certain waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by contact with rodent urine, is more prevalent during the rainy season.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/multimedia/infographic/07/03/18/leptospirosis-what-you-need-to-know">READ: Leptospirosis: What you need to know</a></li></ul>Villavicencio said those who have open wounds on their feet are more prone to leptospirosis.She added that when going through flooded areas people have to make sure that they have footwear on. To prevent skin diseases, people have to take a bath right away after wading through a flood. This does not necessarily mean that one is “clear” of leptospirosis; Dr. Villavicencio said that it is better to be checked by a doctor who would be the one to affirm if in fact one is clear of leptospirosis or if one is in need of prophylaxis.For pregnant women and children, “May mga alternative medicines na puwedeng ibigay ang doctor para rin ma-prevent ‘yung leptospirosis,” she added.Symptoms for waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis are fever, muscle pain (in the calf area), red eyes, headaches, chills, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.Since its <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/05/18/leptospirosis-outbreak-idineklara-ng-doh-sa-ilang-lugar-sa-maynila">outbreak</a>, a total of 1,030 cases of leptospirosis between January 1 and June 9, 2018 has been recorded. Of that number, <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/28/18/leptospirosis-claims-99-lives-in-first-six-months-doh">99 people</a> have died from leptospirosis this year, according to the DOH.“Take prophylaxis to prevent leptospirosis if you waded in floods risk of death is very high if you get complications of kidney and lung failure and bleeding. Go to your barangay health centers or to DOH hospitals to get <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/17/18/paalala-sa-mga-di-makakaiwas-sa-baha-gamot-vs-leptospirosis-libre-lang">free</a> prophylaxis,” Dr. Romina Danguilan, deputy executive director of the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), said.Skin diseases and dengue are also common during persistent monsoon rains. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/18/18/more-rains-this-week-as-tropical-depression-inday-intensifies">READ: More rains this week as tropical depression ‘Inday’ intensifies</a></li></ul>The skin is the biggest barrier to infection and the risk to infection is greater if one has open wounds. The most common skin disease is the fungal infection.“Ang fungi kasi gusto n’ya ‘yung moist na area so better make sure na palaging dry ang paa para hindi ka maging prone to fungal infection, at the same time there is an anti-fungal na we can prescribe for that, you just have to go see your doctor para sila ‘yung magbigay sa inyo,” Villavicencio said.“Err on the safe side and check with the doctor,&#x27; she added.Preventive measures from waterborne diseases Being at risk of waterborne diseases such as leptospirosis does not mean it cannot be prevented. Here are some preventive tips Dr. Villavicencio suggested that would protect the body from waterborne diseases.<div>1. Full Rest</div>When asked how to prevent such diseases from happening, Villavicencio said that “full rest” is still what the body primarily needs. “One is para maiwasan ang kahit anong infection, mas maganda siyempre na we have full rest, so bawal magpuyat,” she said.<div>2. Healthy Diet</div>The doctor stressed that if one is eating lots of vegetables and fruits and drinking ample amount of water, supplements are no longer needed. <div>3. Hand Hygiene</div>“Hand hygiene” is also important. “[Kapag] hindi available palagi [ang] source of water and soap, okay lang naman kung alcohol or alcogel. It’s very handy and mura,” Villavicencio said.She also made it clear that the body’s immune system is “not necessarily” affected by rainwater. “May mga ibang illnesses lang na mas madaling ma-transmit kung moist lang yung environment, but in essence kung maulanan ka it won’t make you prone to illnesses.”<div>4. Vitamins</div>Vitamin C is also a good boost for the immune system, zinc has been proven also to help in making the body recuperate faster from viral infection, but a healthy diet trumps all.

As the rain persists throughout the month of July, there are certain infections that the body is more prone to.

As the rain persists throughout the month of July, there are certain infections that the body is more prone to.