DOH alerts public against summer diseases

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ILOILO CITY — The Department of Health regional office here is alerting the public on the resurgence of six summer diseases as the hot season is already here.

Dr. Elvie Villalobos of DOH regional office said that parents and the general public must be alerted on the proliferation of summer diseases such as sore eyes, sun burn, cough and colds, vomiting and diarrhea, skin disease and dog bites.

Sore eyes or conjunctivitis, when mistreated, can lead to blindness. More than just eye irritation, it can easily be due to harmful bacteria or viruses that easily spread to other people.

Sunburn can be prevented if one timed their outdoor activities. Avoid the sun between 10AM to 2PM.

Cough and colds easily spread during the summer months as erratic weather brings sudden downpour. Senior citizens are advised to get vaccinated against influenza before the flu season begins in June.

Vomiting and diarrhea follows consumption of contaminated food or drinks. Be cautious of street foods or those prepared for out of town trips. Skin disease is another common summer disease in areas where water is scarce so that daily bath is compromised.

It abounds when one swims in dirty water or unmaintained public swimming pools.

Dog bites can lead to rabies if wounds are not washed and cared for immediately. If one sustains dog bites, visit the animal bite center to get vaccination against rabies.