The widespread flooding can be very devastating to people’s health.
Everyone can be affected, young or old, even if physically fit. The
longer it lasts, the greater the risk of people catching some kind of
illness from contaminated water or insect-borne diseases.
PHOTO: JETJARAS NA RANONG
Below are seven ways in which to protect yourself and your family under these grave circumstances.
1 Digestive disorders
Debilitating illnesses in this category include diarrhoea, dysentery,
typhoid fever, food poisoning and hepatitis A. Any of them can be
contacted by drinking contaminated water, or eating food which has been
exposed to polluted water or insects.
PREVENTION:
Floodwaters contain many kinds of bacteria, so be careful: Keep it as far away from your mouth as possible.
Be careful washing dishes or cleaning fruit and vegetable as the
water might be contaminated. If possible, drink only filtered or bottled
water, if not, drink water which has been boiled or treated with
chlorine or other purifying chemicals, or rainwater. Only eat food
cooked recently. Do not allow flies near your eating or living areas.
Only visit bathrooms with toilets when answering nature’s call or
look for places with adequate supply of water; do not use the flood
water around your house to dispose of human waste. If there are no
toilets, use a plastic bag, seal it tight before throwing it away in a
proper receptacle. Wash your hands after using the toilet, and before
every meal.
If you have diarrhoea, drink water mixed with sugar, salt and
minerals (ORS) until the symptoms are relieved. If the symptoms do not
improve or you develop a fever or there’s blood in your stool, consult a
doctor.
2 Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
PHOTO: PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
It is caused by bacteria in water which enter the eyes. Symptoms
include the eyes turning red, eye pain, burning and tearing sensation.
PREVENTION:
When dirty water enters the eye, you should quickly flush it with
clean water. With pink eye the bacteria is contained in tears and nasal
mucus: To prevent the disease from spreading, avoid contact with others,
and be careful with pillowcases and handkerchiefs. If you suspect you
have conjunctivitis, you should consult a doctor immediately.
3 Skin diseases
The most common are foot disease and foot decay caused by bacteria or
fungus, which especially like to grow in damp corners of your skin. In
the first phase, skin may become inflamed and irritated from
contamination. Later, if the skin is wet for an extended period of time,
it may begin to rot.
The skin may develop blisters, especially between the toes. These
blisters may be itchy and inflammatory. If the blisters open, they may
cause additional pain and increase the chances of other infections.
PREVENTION:
After exposure to flood water, wash your skin thoroughly. Pay special
attention to your feet. You may want to sprinkle talcum powder for
extra dryness and protection. If possible, wear rubber boots with good
traction when wading through water. If the skin starts to rot, apply
(waxy) skin or foot balm.
If you develop symptoms which do not improve, seek medical advice.
4 Dangerous bites
Floodwaters, especially the stagnant type, bring out insects such as
scorpions and centipedes, poisonous snakes and reptiles. These creatures
may enter your house or workplace, and hide in dark areas.
PREVENTION:
Moving at night, or through dark areas, or moving furniture or other
objects, make sure you carry a torch bright enough to show everything
around you. If these animals bite, wrap the area tightly with cloth or
rubber straps, and seek immediate medical attention. Occasionally loosen
the strap, approximately every 10 minutes, to allow blood flow to the
area.
5 Leptospirosis (Weil’s syndrome)
This disease causes malfunction of the liver and kidneys. Symptoms
are fever, aching calf muscles, red eyes and jaundice (yellowing of the
skin). In addition, the patient may experience swelling of the foot’s
instep and skin around the eyes.
It is the result of the skin coming in contact with flood water tainted by rodent urine.
PREVENTION:
Wear adequate protection, such as rubber boots and waterproof
jackets, when wading through floodwaters. Rats are the carriers of the
disease. If you develop the symptoms, it is important that you quickly
see a doctor.
6 Respiratory diseases
Example are flu, tonsillitis and bronchitis which may be contracted
by breathing in, or coming in contact with infected drops of mucus,
saliva or phlegm. Respiratory diseases are often contacted in congested
area and the main symptoms are fever, headache, cough and fatigue.
PREVENTION:
Cover properly to keep yourself warm and sleep enough to stay strong.
You should not wear wet clothes and shoes for long periods. If symptoms
such as coughing or discoloured phlegm do not improve, consult a
doctor.
7 Accident& electrical safety
Common injuries in cities during flooding include:
a)Wound or infection complications caused by injuries from sharp
objects: nails, broken glass, tiles, splinters and other broken objects
with points and edges.
b)Electrocution: If soaked or standing in water, your body is a good
conductor of electric current. If flood water comes in contact with live
electrical switch, it can transmit the current to your body and the
consequences can be fatal.
PREVENTION:
a)Wading through floods always stay vigilant. Wear rubber and
protective boots with good traction. If you do get injured, wash the
wound immediately with clean water, and remove any dirt or foreign
objects. Then use a disinfectant to clean the wound.
b)Switch off the power to flood-prone areas, and turn off all
electrical appliances. If there is water or an appliance is wet, do not
touch any power cords in electrical outlets.
The information is compiled by Junya Jarayopas, infectious disease, department manager, Bumrungrad Hospital.
PHOTO: PATIPAT JANTHONG
Villagers
looking down at their flooded houses from makeshift shelters set up on a
mountain in the Tan Hoa commune, in the central Vietnamese province of
Quang Binh, in October 2011. Almost all the victims of severe flooding
in Vietnam's Mekong Delta were children, the United Nations said on
Monday, as the official death toll climbed to 78. 
