2023-06-21 18:59:21
The long rainy season is marked by the multiplication of mosquito larvae responsible for the peak of malaria. But beware, this infectious disease is not the only one to fear in these times. Other microbes including the coronavirus and other pathologies such as sickle cell anemia and asthma are on the rise in times of rain.
Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite responsible for malaria. The vector of this microbe in humans remains the mosquito, precisely the female Anopheles mosquito which multiplies particularly during the rainy season. Pregnant women and children under 5 are the most vulnerable.
To protect yourself from this disease, it is recommended to sleep under a mosquito net impregnated with long-acting insecticide. Destroying puddles near houses and good management of household waste are a must. It is almost essential to go to the hospital in case of fever for rapid screening which will then justify the start of antimalarial treatment. Self-medication should be avoided so as not to compromise the patient’s chances of recovery.
COVID-19 still present
Fever is an indicator of an infectious disease which may be COVID-19. We still remember the countless damage caused by this viral infection, the virus of which did not disappear by magic. The coronavirus despite the mass vaccination initiated all over the world is still circulating. Fever, body aches, headaches, diarrhea and others, its manifestations can quickly be confused with those of malaria. However, the complications of COVID-19 are potentially fatal. One more reason to go to the hospital and reconnect with the barrier gestures of wearing a mask, physical distancing (for people at risk) and washing hands with soap and water before meals and after bowel movements with soap and water.
This last measure is very important to prevent diseases related to faecal peril. Examples include cholera and typhoid fever. These are hand-borne diseases just like COVID-19.
Must therefore :
give priority to hot meals; wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating them; protect food from flies and drink water if only it is drinkable.
The alternation of sun and rain also promotes the development of other parasites such as pinworms, roundworms, hookworms. Deworming is recommended by specialists.
Read also >> Health: Covid-19 must not make people forget about malaria
Cough, cold, asthma, sickle cell disease…
The coolness generated by the rains is responsible for the resurgence of respiratory and bronchopulmonary diseases. Individuals complain more often in these times of running colds and coughs.
Asthma and sickle cell attacks are also recurrent. Although sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disease, the conjunction of environmental factors linked to rain make gene carriers (heterozygotes) and sickle cell sufferers vulnerable. Mosquito bites introduce Plasmodium falciparum into the body, which preferentially attacks the already diseased red blood cells in sickle cell patients. This quickly causes serious anemia which jeopardizes the vital prognosis of the latter. As for the cold, it triggers what is called articular rheumatism in sickle cell patients, but also the vasoconstrictive crisis in asthmatics. Asthma is a lung disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways making it difficult for the patient to breathe. In rainy weather, the fresh air, sometimes filled with allergens, breathed in by those who suffer from it triggers an attack.
Sickle cell sufferers as well as asthmatics with a few differences should:
stay well hydrated (at least 1.5 l of water per day) to facilitate blood circulation and avoid very painful vaso-occlusive phenomena prefer to wear warm clothes sleep under mosquito nets impregnated with long-lasting insecticides live in a healthy environment adopt barrier gestures including wearing a mask, washing hands, physical distancingsee the attending physician at the slightest symptom.
Climatic variations generally favor the resurgence of various viruses, bacteria, parasites and other phenomena that are harmful to the health of individuals. Everyone should consider these tips to maintain their health. Let’s not forget the equally important umbrella to protect your skin from dermatoses.
Read also >> Sickle cell patients facing covid-19 in the rainy season
Angela Kpeidja
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