Top 9 Common Diseases During Flood Season and Most Effective Solutions

Skin infections caused by bacteria and fungi are the most common skin diseases after a flood. The risk of infection increases after skin injuries and in individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic venous insufficiency, and weakened immune systems. Staphylococcus and streptococcus remain the most common causes of skin infections after each flood. However, contact with floodwater can increase the risk of infection with atypical bacteria. Fungal infections, such as ringworm, have been reported, especially in warm and humid climates like Vietnam.

• Fungal Infections: After rain and flooding, contaminated water sources create favorable conditions for fungal growth. Common locations for fungal infections include the spaces between toes, groin, and body folds. Toe cleft fungus is a condition where fungal infection occurs in the skin folds between the toes, often seen between toes 4 and 5. During the rainy season, people exposed to floodwaters are prone to toe cleft fungal infections. Groin fungus involves fungal infection in the skin around the groin, causing red, itchy, flaky patches that progressively spread. This disease often occurs during the rainy season because damp clothing makes the groin area less breathable, creating an ideal environment for fungal growth.
• Bacterial Skin Infections: Symptoms include swollen, hot, red, painful skin, oozing, possible pus, and surrounding inflammation. Poor hygiene and post-flood cleanup work can lead to skin damage, creating conditions for bacterial invasion.
• Scabies: A skin disease caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei parasite (itch mite). Scabies manifests on the skin with red spots, water blisters in crease areas such as palms, between fingers, armpits, abdomen, genital areas, and causes intense itching at night. Scabies has a high transmission rate, so multiple family members may be affected. The disease causes severe itching, significantly impacting daily life. Increased humidity during the rainy season is conducive to scabies development.

Solutions:

• Ensure hygiene of hands and feet, avoid wearing damp socks, and shoes for extended periods. Remove shoes or socks immediately if they become wet. Cleanse feet with soap and dry them after contact with dirty water.
• Use iodine-based antiseptics such as Betadine, saline solution, and antifungal powders on feet and toe creases.

Low humidity, heavy rain causing floods also increases the risk of respiratory diseases, with the most common being flu and the common cold. Respiratory diseases often have a high infection rate, form fluids, and pose difficulties for treatment.

According to Dr. Hoang Dinh Huu Hanh, currently working at the Respiratory Care Center - University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, sudden rainstorms will lower the temperature, providing favorable conditions for bacteria to become active and attack the human respiratory system. Some respiratory diseases we commonly encounter during the rainy season include: the common cold, headaches, sore throat, pneumonia... The most susceptible groups are children under 10 due to their immature immune systems, and the elderly whose immune systems are weakened at this age.

Solution:

• Keep warm in cold weather, especially for children and the elderly
  
• Limit contact with people showing signs of flu or respiratory infections.
• Ensure proper nutrition
• Diagnose and treat promptly to limit complications and mortality

Dengue fever is a common disease in rainy and humid weather, as it provides an opportunity for disease-carrying mosquitoes to thrive. Dengue fever is a highly dangerous infectious disease that can lead to death if there is massive bleeding or cardiac failure. Currently, dengue fever has been rampant in 128 countries, with over 3.9 billion people affected, accounting for 40% of the global population.

Dengue fever is now considered a dangerous disease as it is both acute and infectious. Previously, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue fever was considered a disease of children, as 90% of cases occurred in children under 15 and often followed a cyclical pattern. However, in recent years in Vietnam, the situation of dengue fever has become very complex, affecting not only children but also adults, with nearly equal proportions. When symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fever, and chills occur, it is necessary to go to the nearest health center for examination and treatment.

Solution:

• Currently, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever and no vaccine for prevention. The treatment of dengue fever is mainly aimed at treating symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to seal all water containers to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs; use mosquito nets and wear long clothing to prevent mosquito bites even during the day. When experiencing a fever, go to a healthcare facility for examination and treatment. Do not self-treat at home.
• Everyone must be conscious of keeping the living environment well-ventilated, handling stagnant water pools, and clearing debris around the house. Regularly clean water containers such as flower pots and water basins. Clean up and dispose of scrap materials in the living area, especially bottles and fragments that can collect water. Invert them when not in use. Use mosquito-repelling lights or plant aromatic herbs and plants around the house to repel mosquitoes. Spray chemicals, maintain cleanliness in the living space to eliminate mosquito breeding sites...

Eye diseases such as red eyes, inflammation of the eyelids, and glandular inflammation are common and easily become epidemics in places where hygiene conditions and clean water are not guaranteed. Humid weather after rain and floods creates conditions for the virus to thrive; the habit of using contaminated well water in some households is a reason for the increased number of people suffering from eye pain during the rainy season.

Solution:

• Do not wash your face or bathe with dirty water.
• Do not let children bathe, play, or use dirty water.
• Wash hands with soap and clean water.
• Do not use the same face towel and basin as someone with red eyes.
• Administer eye drops (Chloramphenicol 0.4% or Argirol 1%) to all those at risk of contact with dirty water.
• Pay attention to fly control as flies transmit red eye diseases from the sick to the healthy.

Extended rain, storms, and prolonged floods often lead to common digestive disorders such as dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid, bacterial infections, food poisoning from various bacteria (E.coli, Campylobacter, etc.), and amoebic dysentery. These diseases tend to cause outbreaks with basic symptoms like abdominal pain, cramps, and acute diarrhea.

During the current rainy and stormy season, coupled with contaminated water sources, digestive diseases frequently occur. The causes of these digestive diseases result from an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestines (due to unhygienic eating, inadequately cooked or boiled food, etc.).

Solution:

• Diarrhea is a common digestive disease that many people experience during rainy and flood-prone days. It is a contagious disease spread through the digestive tract, caused by bacteria. If you are affected by this disease, quickly visit the nearest healthcare facility for examination by medical professionals.
• To prevent digestive diseases, wash your hands regularly with soap before eating and after using the bathroom, avoid sources of infection, practice proper hygiene, consume well-cooked food, and boil water before drinking. Diarrhea is a preventable disease if we maintain good hygiene practices.

Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the Salmonella bacteria with a high level of contagion. The disease tends to develop through the consumption of contaminated food and water. It's important to note that even after recovery, some patients may still harbor bacteria causing the disease inside the gallbladder.

This is a disease easily spread during the rainy season through contaminated food and water, manifesting symptoms such as high fever, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or constipation. Therefore, during the rainy season, it's essential to boil drinking water for an extra 2 minutes, thoroughly process food, and cover stored food to prevent flies and other insects.

Solution:

• A specific and proactive way to prevent typhoid fever is vaccination. Improve hygiene conditions, such as ensuring a clean water supply, consuming clean food, boiling drinking water, avoiding raw or suspiciously contaminated food, and washing hands before eating or after using the bathroom.
• In case the illness worsens or presents unusual symptoms, it is advisable to contact a healthcare facility for appropriate treatment.

Alongside skin, respiratory, and digestive diseases, joint and bone diseases have a relatively high prevalence, especially among older individuals with a history of illness. Unusual weather conditions, sudden rain or sunshine, can lead to muscle and joint fatigue, stiffness in the neck and shoulder area, and lower back pain. Joints may swell, causing difficulties in movement, particularly in the morning.

Solution:

• To prevent joint and bone diseases on rainy days, individuals should avoid exposure to cold rain outdoors.
• The best advice for preventing these diseases during the rainy season is to engage in regular physical activity. Exercise is considered a valuable remedy, highly beneficial for human health, and particularly effective in reducing pain and stiffness.
• Additionally, design a balanced diet rich in vitamin C and E, calcium, and drink plenty of water to maintain joint lubrication.

Post-flood pollution is a breeding ground for the hand, foot, and mouth disease virus. This type of illness is characterized by fever, sore throat, and a rash with fluid-filled blisters. Hand, foot, and mouth disease primarily affect children under 5 years old, most commonly those under 3, and it can spread quickly, leading to outbreaks. Initial signs include fever and a red rash with red spots or blisters on the hands, feet, knees, buttocks, or mouth ulcers. As the outbreak progresses, the disease can rapidly spread from one child to another through nasal, oral, or saliva secretions or through the caregiver's hands. The disease requires close monitoring and prompt treatment to avoid severe complications.

• Wash hands frequently with soap; maintain good eating hygiene; regularly clean surfaces and tools in contact with children; avoid contact between children and sick individuals; use hygienic toilets; when detecting suspected signs in children, seek medical attention or promptly inform the nearest health authorities.

Jaundice fever is a hemorrhagic fever caused by a mosquito-borne virus. In mild cases, it causes fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Leptospirosis-induced jaundice fever (hemorrhagic) caused by Leptospira bacteria is directly related to the urine of rodents carrying Leptospira bacteria. Rodents excrete these bacteria into the environment through urine, which flows into water bodies. During and after rain or floods, if humans immerse themselves or their extremities for an extended period in water, Leptospira bacteria can easily penetrate the skin and mucous membranes to enter the human body.

• During and after rain or floods, if individuals immerse themselves or their extremities for an extended period in water, Leptospira bacteria can easily penetrate the skin and mucous membranes to enter the body and cause illness. Therefore, cleanliness is essential after exposure to a polluted water environment.