Health Official Alerts Public Against Health Risks During Summer

Health officials in the province urged the public to take necessary precautions against health risks and common diseases prevailing during summer time.

Dr. Anna Maria Teresa De Guzman, provincial health officer in Pangasinan, said heatstroke, sunburn, chickenpox, measles, prickly heat, influenza, cold, allergy, sore eyes, dengue, food and waterborne diseases and rabies are the common illnesses that prevail during the summer season.

De Guzman said infants, children and senior citizens are at higher risks of heatstroke. To prevent this disease, the public is advised not to stay under the sun around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to lessen factors that increase their sensitivity to heat.

“Kung hindi maiiwasan na ma-expose sa direct sunlight, gaya ng mga athletes, farmers, fishermen, at construction workers,  ay kailangan po talaga na sila ay mag-hydrate at uminom ng higit sampung baso ng tubig,” de Guzman said during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of Philippine Information Agency (PIA)–Pangasinan held on Tuesday.

She said during heat season, PHO also advised the public to drink ionized water instead of soda, coffee, tea and alcohol because these are dehydrating fluids.

“When having activities under the sun, the public should avoid over exposure to the sun and apply sun block lotion to prevent disease like sun burn that can possibly lead to skin cancer,” she said noting that person with white skin are more prone to ultra violet rays exposure because of the lesser melanin content on their skin.

Likewise, PHO urged parents to bring their children to health centers or public hospitals in the province to get free vaccination against measles and chickenpox.

“Wala pong 100 percent immunity sa measles at chickenpox, ang kagandahan po dun sa mga nababakunahan ay mas hindi komplikado ang komplikasyon na mararanasan ng may sakit na measles at chickenpox dahil ang komplikasyon ng measles ay maaaring ikamatay ng bata at mga inang nagbubuntis naman para sa chickenpox kung saan sila yong high risks,” said de Guzman.

For the itchy red rashes known as prickly heat that is common for children, de Guzman advised that applying powder or corn starch can relieve the itchiness.

Concurrently, de Guzman said the public should also be wary that flu and cold is still common during summer because the erratic change of weather condition that tend to affect the health status of the body. It can also trigger asthma and allergy.

She underscored that proper hygiene and regular hand washing is the most effective way to prevent viral diseases like sore eyes.

Soreyes, which can last up to three days if treated well, is a viral infection caused by the dryness of eyes, combined with dust particles and other allergens, she said

De Guzman noted that dengue cases compared to last year’s record from January to date has increased by up to 40 percent this year with 540 cases and two mortality cases.

To prevent dengue mosquitos, the public is also advised to keep their surroundings clean and free from stagnant water caused by rainfall.

PHO also warned the public on food and waterborne diseases that can be acquired from spoiled food and unclean water.

She said warm weather condition easily spoils food like saucy dishes.

Likewise, she urged vendors selling halo-halo and beverages like palamig to use only ice and water that is fit for human consumption to avoid health hazards like diarrhea and even typhoid fever.

During summer time, dogs also feel discomfort that they are more likely to attack people, in order to prevent rabies, De Guzman also urged all dog owners to always monitor their pet’s health and get their pets vaccinated against rabies virus. (MCA/EMBS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)