Weather changes in early year, sometimes hot, sometimes cold. Such fluctuating weather conditions may cause many diseases, especially those that spread easily and quickly, affecting the health of the public and tourists. For this reason, Phyathai 2 Hospital would like to introduce you to 4 dangerous epidemic diseases along with simple prevention methods that if ignored… you may become a victim of these epidemics unexpectedly.
1. Influenza
A respiratory tract infection that spreads easily and widely, occurring in all age groups, especially children under 2 years old, the elderly, those with chronic diseases, and pregnant women. Severe illness and complications may occur.
- Transmission from viruses in the sputum, nasal mucus, and saliva of patients, spreading to others through direct coughing or sneezing, or inhaling droplets. Some get infected indirectly through hands or contaminated objects, with the virus entering the body through the nose, eyes, and mouth.
- Symptoms Patients will have sudden fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, extreme fatigue. Nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing, and sneezing from bronchitis may be present. Some patients have severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, inability to eat, extreme fatigue, and high fever that does not subside. Immediate medical attention is needed as complications like pneumonia may occur, which can be fatal.
- Prevention Avoid close contact with influenza patients, do not share personal items, avoid crowded places. High-risk groups including young children, the elderly, chronic patients, and those traveling for Hajj pilgrimage should get an annual influenza vaccination.
2. Diarrhea
In children, it is usually caused by viruses, while in adults it is caused by bacteria. Symptoms are generally mild, and patients recover within 7 – 10 days.
- Transmission Viruses enter the body through the mouth and contact with toys or objects contaminated with feces, saliva, nasal mucus, fluid from blisters or wounds, including close contact through coughing and sneezing.
- Symptoms Fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea. Some cases have watery stools and may experience abdominal pain.
- Prevention Wash hands thoroughly before and after eating and after defecation. Regularly clean toys and objects. Avoid crowded places and close contact with symptomatic individuals.
3. Dengue Fever
A disease caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
- Transmission Female Aedes mosquitoes bite and suck blood from dengue patients first, then spread the virus to others by biting people within a 400-meter radius. These mosquitoes can bite both during the day and at night. They are commonly found breeding in stagnant water sources around homes such as water containers, jars, vases, saucers under cupboards, cans, coconut shells, old tires, and water-filled holes.
- Symptoms After being bitten by an infected mosquito for about 5 – 8 days, high fever (38.0-40 degrees Celsius) occurs continuously for 2-7 days, flushed face, headache, muscle pain, bone pain, eye socket pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite. Small red spots appear on arms, legs, torso, and armpits. Nosebleeds and bleeding gums may occur. (General symptoms resemble a cold but usually without cough or runny nose)
- Prevention Protect yourself and those around you from mosquito bites by sleeping under mosquito nets or staying in mosquito-proof rooms both day and night, including eliminating mosquito larvae and destroying mosquito breeding sites.
4. Cholera
Caused by bacteria found in the feces and vomit of patients or carriers, which then spread to the environment, contaminating food and drinking water.
- Transmission Eating unhygienic food or when patients’ hands touch various objects, with flies acting as vectors spreading the disease to others.
- Symptoms Patients may be asymptomatic carriers or reservoirs, spreading the disease to others. Mild cases experience abdominal pain and frequent loose stools, usually recovering within 1 – 2 days. Severe cases have watery, milky white stools resembling rice water with a strong fishy odor, may vomit. Without prompt medical treatment, dehydration and electrolyte loss can cause fatigue, dry mouth, thirst, restlessness, sunken eyes, weak pulse, and can lead to death.
- PreventionEat clean, freshly cooked food without flies, avoid raw or undercooked food, drink clean water, wash hands before cooking and eating, store food in covered containers or sealed cupboards, and use hygienic toilets for defecation.
Don’t forget to take simple care of yourself: eat hygienic food, wash hands before and after eating, drink enough clean water, and exercise regularly before epidemics spread.
