Heavy rains bring more than destruction and disruption to city dwellers. With the rains, diseases such as leptospirosis, diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, tetanus and dengue fever also arrive.
In the state of Rio de Janeiro, where many municipalities were hit by storms last weekend, the State Department of Health warns the population and municipal health departments about the dangers and the need for prevention, monitoring and treatment of related illnesses to flooding. According to the secretariat, an increase in cases of these diseases is common, on average two weeks after storms.
The superintendent of Public Health Emergencies at the State Department of Health, Sílvia Carvalho, highlighted the precautions that must be taken in these cases. It is necessary to pay attention to symptoms such as high fever, chills, body pain and diarrhea, and seek a health unit immediately so that the diseases can be identified and treated appropriately so that no complications occur, says Sílvia, in a note released by the secretariat.
The folder guides municipalities to monitor the occurrence of cases in local health units and reinforce this measure with teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals. “It is essential that health professionals, who are in direct contact with the population in health units and temporary shelters, have this perspective when promoting patient care.”
Leptospirosis, diarrhea and hepatitis
According to the secretariat, the risk of contamination during floods is very high. Leptospirosis, for example, can be transmitted by rainwater or mud contaminated with bacteria present in the urine and feces of rats, when they come into contact with mucous membranes or skin wounds. Symptoms are high fever, chills, muscle pain and jaundice (yellow skin).
“Therefore, you should avoid coming into contact with water. If it is unavoidable, you should wear boots and gloves, or tied plastic bags to protect your feet and hands”, recommends the secretariat.
According to the Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos) Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), leptospirosis needs medical attention, because it can cause hemorrhages, meningitis, kidney, liver and respiratory failure.
“Bio-Manguinhos contributes to the diagnosis of leptospirosis through diagnostic tests on patients in affected regions who present symptoms and uses only one sample to carry out two independent and simultaneous reactions”, states Fiocruz in a note.
When drinking contaminated water, a person may also experience diarrhea and hepatitis. To avoid these diseases, it is recommended to filter and boil the water before consumption to eliminate bacteria, viruses and parasites. “To clean the water, it is also recommended to use 2 drops of sodium hypochlorite (2.5%) in 1 liter of water. Ingestion can be done 30 minutes after applying the solution”, advise experts.
The symptoms of hepatitis A are tiredness, fever, dizziness and feeling unwell that can last for several weeks.
Tetanus and dengue
According to Bio-Manguinhos, the possibility of accidental tetanus transmission occurs through injuries in contact with garbage and debris during floods or floods. “The bacteria that cause the disease can be present on skin, feces, soil, branches, low plants, dirty water and dust.”
According to the Institute, the main form of tetanus prevention is vaccination, which is free and available throughout the Unified Health System (SUS) network. “Bio-Manguinhos produces the combined DTP and Hib vaccine, also called tetravalent, as it protects, at the same time, against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and serious infections with Haemophilus influenzae type b.”
If accidental tetanus is not treated correctly, it can lead to death. “The chances of dying depend on age, the type of injury, as well as the presence of other health problems, such as respiratory, kidney and infectious complications.”
The proliferation of the dengue mosquito can also be reinforced by heavy rain. The Rio Health Department recommends that, in addition to cleaning areas where larvae may be present, the population pays attention to the symptoms of the disease: high fever, red spots, muscle pain, headache and, in the back of the eyes and loss of appetite. Anyone who presents this condition should immediately go to a health unit.
Source: CNN Brasil
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