During the rainy season, the weather is cool and refreshing, but it also brings humidity that can cause various diseases if we do not take care of our health. In this article, we will discuss the five epidemic groups that are commonly associated with the rainy season.

Respiratory diseases

These are caused by infections or abnormalities in the respiratory organs, which include the nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, and lungs. These diseases are transmitted through airborne droplets containing bacteria, snot, saliva, or phlegm. The following five respiratory diseases are commonly associated with the rainy season:

1.        Common cold (Acute Rhinopharyngitis): A viral infection that causes a stuffy or runny nose, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, low-grade fever, and mild headache.

2.        Influenza: A viral infection that may cause epidemic from time to time, and is characterized by acute high fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, and respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and bronchitis. It may also cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

3.        Acute Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the lining of the throat that may cause sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, headache, cough, and enlarged lymph nodes. If the infection is bacterial, it may cause high fever, very sore throat, very red throat, and pus-filled spots inside the throat.

4.        Acute Bronchitis: A bronchial infection that causes inflamed and swollen bronchial mucosa, leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing sound, dry cough, cough with phlegm, headache, low fever, and symptoms similar to the common cold.

5.        Pneumonia: A respiratory disease caused by viral or bacterial infection of the lungs that causes inflammation, swelling, water or pus inside the alveoli of the lungs, leading to fever, cough, sputum, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

Gastrointestinal disease

These are caused by infections of the organs in the digestive system, which include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. During the rainy season, the following four gastrointestinal diseases are commonly found:

1.        Acute Diarrhea: Caused by eating food or drinking contaminated water that contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. Symptoms include passing liquid stools more than three times a day, watery stools once a day, or bloody mucus once a day, along with fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, physical exhaustion, thirst, dry mouth, dry throat, and reduced urination due to dehydration.

2.        Dysentery: Caused by Protozoa (Amoeba) or Shigella spp. in the intestines. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, watery stools with mucus or blood, cramps in the abdomen, pain in the anus, nausea, vomiting, and fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius.

3.        Food poisoning: Caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or by toxins or chemicals that are not pathogens. Symptoms include abdominal pain, intermittent twisting pain, vomiting, frequent watery stools, fever, and tiredness.

4.        Typhoid fever: Caused by a bacterium called Salmonella Typhi. Symptoms include acute high fever, headache, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and constipation, followed by liquid stool with mucus mixed with blood.

To reduce the risk of contracting gastrointestinal infections, it is important to choose clean and cooked food, and to cover any uneaten food completely.

Mosquito-borne disease

Mosquitoes can transmit diseases to humans, and when it rains, stagnant water serves as a favorable breeding ground for them. In this article, we will introduce you to three mosquito-borne diseases:

1.        Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

This disease is caused by the dengue virus and has three phases. The fever phase is characterized by a persistent high fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and rashes or blood spots all over the body. In the critical phase, patients have low platelet counts, which can lead to bleeding, nosebleeds, or vomiting blood. Other symptoms include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and circulatory failure. The recovery phase is marked by improved appetite, increased blood pressure, and sometimes a rash and small bleeding spots on the body.

2.        Malaria

Malaria is caused by Protozoa Plasmodium and is mainly found in forested areas and areas with water sources. Patients infected with malaria experience fever, chills, headache, body aches, nausea, and loss of appetite.

3.        Japanese Encephalitis

This disease is caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, diarrhea, and joint pain. In severe cases, patients may experience lethargy, seizures, and neurological abnormalities.

Hence, in the rainy season, it is advisable to steer clear of mosquito-prone spots such as riverside eateries, dam-side lodgings, etc. Additionally, it is crucial to eliminate any stagnant water sources at home, be it plant pots or receptacles with water. These measures will aid in minimizing the likelihood of acquiring mosquito-borne illnesses.

Wound-infected disease

Open wounds and abrasions are potential entry points for pathogens to invade the body. During the rainy season, we must exercise caution against two diseases that may be contracted through wounds:

1.        Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an eye disease that may be caused by various factors, including infections, allergies, and exposure to chemicals. Viral conjunctivitis, however, is the most common and easily transmittable form of the disease. Adenovirus is the most common cause, followed by Herpesvirus, Enterovirus, and Coxsackie. Patients will experience eye swelling, redness, excessive tear production, and eye pain due to inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the inside of the eyelids and the sclera. Bacterial infection may cause yellow or clear mucus discharge from the eyes.

2.        Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is caused by Pathogenic Leptospires, a bacterium present in the urine of carrier animals such as rats, pigs, cattle, and dogs. The infected animals do not show symptoms but release the bacterium in their urine. The bacterium survives in flooded water sources. Those infected will experience high fever, headache, confusion, and muscle aches. Severe cases may lead to jaundice, yellowing of the eyes, stiff neck, low blood pressure, decreased kidney function, pneumonia, abnormal bleeding, and bleeding in the lungs. Immediate treatment is crucial, or the disease can become life-threatening.

Viral disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a common viral disease among young children, especially during the rainy season. It is caused by the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackie virus. Although adults may also contract the disease, it is less common, and symptoms are generally less severe than in young children. Infected individuals will have a fever, fatigue, mouth sores, and rashes with red spots on the hands and feet (rashes may also appear on other body parts).

Despite the risks of diseases that accompany the rainy season, we can still relish the rejuvenating ambiance it brings. To stay healthy, it is crucial to maintain a nutritious diet, engage in regular physical activity, obtain sufficient rest, and practice good hygiene. It is advisable to seek medical attention promptly if there are any health concerns, ensuring safety from the diseases that may come with the rains. For Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance clients seeking health-related information, you can explore additional articles on health advisories at https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-advisories.

References

·       King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society
http://bit.ly/3ERWzpc
http://bit.ly/3Jim06l

·       Bangkok Hospital
https://bit.ly/3EQ5dEI
http://bit.ly/3J692Iu

·       Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital

https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/652
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/dengue
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/573
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/leptospirosis

·       Nakornthon Hospital
https://bit.ly/3JaoNym

·       Bangpakok 3 Hospital
https://www.bangpakok3.com/care_blog/view/158
https://www.bpksamutprakan.com/care_blog/view/179

·       Sikarin Hospital
http://bit.ly/3YaJNsY

·       Rajavithi Hospital
https://www.rajavithi.go.th/rj/?p=3728

·       Pobpad website
http://bit.ly/3ZhgR3E

·       Paolo Hospital
https://bit.ly/3ZztXcn
http://bit.ly/3mJVR7j