The Department of Health has always been concerned with the citizen’s health especially during weather changes that has proven themselves to be quite unpredictable. During these changes, several diseases occur that should be treated as a major source of concern since they could spell out the narrow difference between life and death.
According to the World Health Organization, deaths due to the flu or pneumonia reached some 75,970 or about 12.27% of total deaths in the Philippines in 2017. The two diseases are also among the top 10 leading cases of morbidity in our country as of 2017.
List of common diseases during cold weather:
- Influenza
It is also known as the flu and is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza A, B, or C virus. These viruses enter the respiratory tract and have an incubation period of 1 to 3 days. The virus usually attacks the upper respiratory tract – particularly the nose, throat, and upper airways. The flu is usually spread through tiny droplets produced when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through contact with surfaces or clothing contaminated with discharge from an infected person.
Symptoms:
- You may have the flu if you experience fever of at least 38°C, a runny nose, headache, or muscle or joint pains.
Treatment:
- Get adequate rest.
- Increase intake of oral fluids and nutritious food.
- Take paracetamol for fever. Aspirin should not be given to children.
- Seek a doctor’s advice.
Prevention:
- Minimize contact with a person who is coughing.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Pneumonia
It is an infection of the lungs usually caused by bacteria or a virus. Pneumonia can cause mild to severe illness in patients. The disease is usually spread by inhaling tiny droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person. It can also be contracted by contact with contaminated surfaces, followed by contact with one’s mouth, nose, or eyes. Smokers, the elderly, and individuals with weak immune systems and diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease are also more likely to get pneumonia.
Symptoms:
- You may have pneumonia if you experience cough, fever, and fast breathing.
- Take note, though, that signs and symptoms of the disease can vary depending on one’s age and health condition.
Treatment:
- Antibiotics are the “mainstay treatment” of bacterial pneumonia. These are only given with the prescription and supervision of a doctor.
- Hospital admission may be needed for some patients with moderate to severe pneumonia. This would also depend on one’s age – usually the infants and the elderly, or those with weak immune systems or other medical conditions.
- Increase intake of fluids.
- Get bed rest.
Prevention:
- Immunization with the following vaccines: Haemophilus influenzae type B, pentavalent vaccine, measles vaccine, and pneumoccocal vaccine. Also, pertussis in pentavalent vaccines to address diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
- Proper nutrition to boost immune systems
- Frequent hand washing
- Addressing pollution and sanitation of surroundings
(source: Sofia Tomacruz, rappler.com)
By: ALAIN T. MORALES| INSTRUCTOR| MICROCITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY| BALANGA CITY, BATAAN
