- Main diseases transmitted by contact with flood water
- 1. Leptospirosis
- 2. Cholera
- 3. Malaria
- 4. Ringworm
- 5. Toxoplasmosis
- 6. Typhoid Fever
- 7. Hepatitis
- How to prevent flooding diseases
Rain and floods can transmit diseases such as ringworm, hepatitis and leptospirosis, and for this reason, contact with water should be avoided, especially during periods of flood.
However, if it is very necessary to contact this type of water, to clean the house or recover objects, it is necessary to put on waterproof plastic boots or, alternatively, cover your hands and feet with 2 or 3 plastic bags, one on top on the other and secure them to the wrist and heel with a strong durex.
Rain and floods can also lead to the proliferation of the dengue mosquito and to protect yourself, you should use a repellent daily and never leave standing water to prevent the mosquito from proliferating.
Main diseases transmitted by contact with flood water
1. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria that can be found in the feces and urine of contaminated animals, especially rats. Thus, in a situation of rain and flooding, urine and feces contaminated by bacteria can easily spread and reach mucous or wounds present on people's skin, with contagion.
The transmission of leptospirosis does not happen from person to person, just by contact with the feces or urine of animals infected by the bacteria, such as rats, cats, dogs, pigs and cattle, for example. Find out how to get Leptospirosis.
Main symptoms: The symptoms of leptospirosis vary from person to person, with high fever, loss of appetite, chills, vomiting and diarrhea, for example. In some cases, about 3 to 7 days after the appearance of the first symptoms, there may be signs of worsening and complications, such as kidney failure, changes in blood circulation and liver failure, for example.
How the treatment is done: The treatment for leptospirosis is done at home with the use of medications to relieve symptoms, such as Paracetamol, for example. In addition, it is recommended to rest and drink plenty of water during the day. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor may also recommend the use of antibiotics, such as Doxycycline and Penicillin, for example. Understand how leptospirosis is treated.
2. Cholera
Cholera is an infectious intestinal disease caused by ingestion of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae that can be found in water and food contaminated by the feces of people or animals with the bacteria. Thus, this disease is more common to occur in environments that do not have running water or an effective basic sanitation system, favoring contamination by this bacterium during rainy seasons, for example.
Main symptoms: The symptoms of cholera appear 2 to 5 days after contact with the bacteria, the main ones being severe diarrhea, nausea and constant vomiting, excessive tiredness, dehydration and an increase in heart rate.
How the treatment is done: As the main symptom related to cholera is severe diarrhea, it is recommended that the person drink plenty of fluids during the day to avoid dehydration. Usually the use of antibiotics is only recommended by the doctor in more severe cases in order to eliminate the bacteria more quickly, and the use of Doxycycline or Azithromycin may be indicated.
3. Malaria
Malaria is a common disease in hot climates, such as Brazil, and its incidence may increase during rainy seasons. This can happen due to the accumulation of water in some places after the rain, which favors the proliferation of the mosquito.
Main symptoms: Malaria symptoms usually appear 8 to 14 days after the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito infected by the parasite Plasmodium sp. , resulting in fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, constant tiredness and yellow skin and eyes, for example. It is common for malaria symptoms to appear in cycles, that is, every 48 or 72 hours, for example, depending on the species of parasite. Here's how to recognize malaria symptoms.
How the treatment is done: When malaria is identified and treated quickly, it is possible to achieve a cure and avoid complications. Treatment usually consists of using antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine and primaquine, for example. In addition, it is important not to consume alcoholic beverages during treatment and to rest. It is important that the treatment is done according to the doctor's guidance, even if the symptoms disappear.
4. Ringworm
Ringworm is a skin disease caused by fungi that can appear after periods of rain due to humidity. Fungi normally proliferate in environments with high humidity and little cleanliness. Thus, when using a sock shoe during the rain, for example, it is likely that if the foot is not properly dried, the fungus will be able to develop.
Main symptoms: The symptoms of ringworm vary according to the place that occurs, itching, red spots on the skin and changes in the color and shape of the nail, for example, in the case of ringworm on the fingers or toes.
How the treatment is done: The treatment for ringworm must be indicated by the dermatologist and is usually done with the use of ointments, creams or oral drugs to fight the fungus, and vary according to the ringworm location. Know the remedies for ringworm.
5. Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, also known as cat disease, is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii , which can be transmitted through ingestion of food contaminated by this parasite, consumption of unpasteurized milk, blood transfusion or vertical transmission, which is when the pregnant woman acquires the disease and does not do the correct treatment, resulting in the baby's infection.
In periods of rain, cases of this disease may increase due to the fact that it promotes easier spreading of this parasite and contact with contaminated food and water. Learn more about Toxoplasmosis and how to prevent it.
Main symptoms: Symptoms usually appear 5 to 20 days after contact with the parasite, with the presence of water in the body, fever, muscle pain, red spots on the body, difficulty in seeing and headache, for example.
How the treatment is done: The treatment for toxoplasmosis varies according to the severity of the symptoms, being recommended the use of drugs to eliminate the parasite, such as Spiramicin, for example.
6. Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi , which can be found in environments with poor sanitation and hygiene conditions. The transmission of typhoid fever occurs through ingestion of contaminated water and food or direct contact with a person with the disease.
Main symptoms: The main symptoms of typhoid fever are high fever, loss of appetite, enlarged spleen, appearance of red spots on the skin, stomach pain, chills, malaise and dry cough, for example.
How the treatment is done: The treatment for typhoid fever can be done at home according to the doctor's recommendation, with the use of the antibiotic Chloramphenicol being usually indicated, for example, in addition to rest, a diet low in calories and fat and fluid intake.
7. Hepatitis
Some types of hepatitis can be transmitted in the rainy season, mainly the Hepatitis A virus. The transmission of this type of hepatitis happens through ingestion of water contaminated with the virus, in addition to food or feces of contaminated people, for example.
In addition, this type of hepatitis is common in places with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions, which makes it easier to spread the virus during rainy seasons, for example.
Main symptoms: The symptoms of hepatitis A are similar to the flu, and there may be headache, sore throat, cough and feeling of malaise that can last for several weeks. Know how to recognize the symptoms of hepatitis A.
How the treatment is done: The treatment of hepatitis A aims to relieve symptoms and help the body to recover more quickly, being recommended the use of analgesics, such as Dipyrone, for example, to reduce pain and fever, in addition to sickness medications.
How to prevent flooding diseases
In order to prevent common diseases from occurring during and after floods, it is recommended to avoid contact with water, as it may be contaminated, and when the water goes down, wash with chlorine everything that has been wet, as it is possible to eliminate possible microorganisms harmful.
It is also necessary to use repellent on the days following the floods, just drink chlorinated or filtered water and eat food that has not come in contact with the dirty waters of the flood.
