The rains are here, protect yourself

They are called showers of blessings. The rainy season is firmly here and it comes with a cool weather — a relief from the climate that many have been experiencing in the previous months.

The downpour has been heavy in some regions, especially the tropical and coastal areas. But, as the rainy season is also a fertile period for crops, so is it for many infections and illnesses, hence the need to embrace the cool weather with caution.

Anyone could get malaria anytime of the year, but experts have warned that the rainy season is the period when most people get the infection and other water-borne diseases such as jaundice, typhoid and cholera.

 In fact, this is the period that doctors experience more patronage in their hospitals for treatment of cold-weather related infections.

Why is the season linked to increasing chances of malaria infection?

The Chief Medical Director, Royal Health Hospitals, Lekki, Dr. Shayo Okulaja, says the climate, during the rainy season, is the most conducive for the breeding of mosquitoes.

He says, “One of the most common illnesses associated with the season is malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite called plasmodium and transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito, which breeds in relatively dirty water.”

There is a great abundance of water during the period, and they can collect in many places, including the potholes, drainages and stagnant water in the community. With such avenues in place, the rainy season simply makes it a fertile environment for the breeding of mosquitoes.

It is not just malaria that people can get during this season; rather, the number of cases of water-borne diseases such as acute gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid also rises this because there is a greater chance that most water sources in the environment have been contaminated.

Okulaja explains that most water-borne disease are transmitted through faecal route; and when it rains heavily, many are washed away by floods and they flow into the water sources, which people unsuspectingly use for washing, cooking and drinking.

He says, “Water-borne diseases, like dysentery, diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice and typhoid, are very common in the rainy season, especially in coastal areas like Lagos; and if drinking-water gets contaminated by infected water from wells, drainages and other sources, then there is a problem.”

Apart from mosquito or water-borne diseases, a physician, Dr. Dinesh Bapat, says there is also an increase in respiratory infections during the rainy season.

Bapat says colds, blocked nose and coughs are common complaints during the season. “If your immune system is low, you may instantly catch a cold after being exposed to the cool breeze that often accompanies rain showers,” he warns.

Butthe experts give some preventive measures that individuals, parents, families and caregivers must take to ensure that they do not get sick during the rainy season.

To prevent getting malaria, Okulaja says since heavy rain leads to stagnant waters, which create a good breeding place for flies and mosquitoes, maintaining general, personal and environmental sanitation and hygiene is very important.

“The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to not let water collect in and around your house, and protect yourself from the insect’s bites by using repellents and wearing full-sleeved shirts.

 “Clearing grass around the compound and maintaining hygienic conditions when cooking will also help. Indoor spraying and mosquito-repellent skin creams also help to prevent mosquito bites.

“After you have done that in the day, go further by sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito net, which kills mosquitoes. Also, disinfect all gutters or drainages in your area from time to time.”

Children and pregnant women are more vulnerable to this infection and in spite of preventive measures, they may get it. Sanni therefore recommends that people in this vulnerable group take anti-malarial medications, as recommended by their doctors,

 He says, “In case you get this infection, know that it is very dangerous. It is very important to take action to get treatment immediately from a doctor, not by treating yourself.

“This is because malaria kills over one million people yearly, and you may never know the type you have until you see your doctor.”

To protect yourself from typhoid, cholera and other water-borne diseases and cold, Bapat, the physician says, “Boil the water you drink during this period. Avoid eating and drinking at roadside eateries, especially raw food. As much as possible, eat home-cooked food that is freshly made. Leftovers must be discarded in this weather. This would minimise the risk.

“Parents must make children wash hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children are most vulnerable to diseases. Also, wear warm clothes that cover the full body to reduce your exposure to the after-effects of the downpour.”