During the rainy season, the weather is humid and the temperature drops at times. The spread of infectious diseases increases because many pathogens grow rapidly. When the weather changes, our body’s immunity may decrease, making us more susceptible to illness when infected. Infectious diseases that commonly occur during the rainy season can affect various body systems, such as:
1. Respiratory System Diseases
- Influenza
Caused by the body being infected with the Influenza Virus group - Symptoms
- Headache
- Dry cough
- Runny nose, nasal congestion
- Muscle aches
- High fever
- Prevention
- Frequently wash hands thoroughly with soap
- Avoid crowded areas or wear a mask to prevent infection
- Get an influenza vaccine annually
- Pneumonia
Infection of the lower respiratory tract causing the alveoli to fill with pus or secretions, resulting in inefficient breathing due to reduced oxygen exchange - Symptoms
- High fever, hot body, flushed face, sweating, chills
- Cough with phlegm
- Chest pain, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain
- Elderly may experience lethargy and confusion
- Infants or young children may have abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, lethargy, refusal to breastfeed or drink water, and some may have seizures from fever
- Prevention
- Do not smoke, as cigarette smoke damages the lungs’ natural infection defense mechanisms
- Avoid cigarette smoke, fire smoke, vehicle exhaust, or cold air
- Do not neglect colds or influenza; treat early to reduce complications
- Strengthen immunity by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, and exercising regularly
- People aged 65 and over should get vaccinated against pneumonia to reduce complications from bloodstream infections
2. Mosquito-borne Diseases
- Dengue Fever
Transmitted from person to person by the Aedes mosquito as the main vector. Female mosquitoes bite and suck blood from infected patients carrying the dengue virus. The virus incubates and multiplies inside the mosquito and can then be transmitted to others through bites - Symptoms
- Fever phase (2-7 days) Patients have a high fever almost all the time, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, often flushed face, and may have rash or bleeding spots on the body, arms, and legs
- Shock phase Fever starts to decrease, patients become lethargic, sweat, have cold hands and feet, weak but rapid pulse, abdominal pain, reduced urination, and may bleed easily. Severe cases may have low blood pressure, shock, and can be fatal. This phase lasts 24-48 hours. Not all patients experience severe symptoms or shock. Mild dengue patients improve as fever subsides and enter the recovery phase
- Recovery phase Symptoms begin to improve, patients regain appetite, blood pressure rises, pulse becomes stronger and slower, urination increases, and some may have red rash and small bleeding spots on the body
-
- Prevention
- Prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding sites in and around the house
- Change water in containers that hold water every 7 days, such as vases
- Cover jars or other containers tightly or add chemical sand to kill larvae in water storage containers; add salt or vinegar to dish trays under kitchen cabinets once a week
- People who have had dengue fever should get vaccinated one year after recovery, as reinfection often causes more severe symptoms
- Prevention
- Malaria
Caused by protozoa called Plasmodium, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. The most common species in Thailand are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax - Symptoms
- High fever, chills, severe complications that may be fatal such as cerebral malaria, blood clotting disorders, kidney failure, enlarged liver, and enlarged spleen
- Prevention
- If you need to stay overnight in the forest, consult a doctor for preventive medication and strictly follow the doctor’s instructions
- Use mosquito repellent when sleeping in the forest to reduce mosquito bites
- Sleep under a mosquito net when sleeping in the forest
- Apply long-lasting mosquito repellent
3. Waterborne and Foodborne Diseases
- Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, which may be caused by hepatitis viruses or other causes such as heavy alcohol consumption, drug use, side effects of medications, exposure to toxins, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and autoimmune liver disease - Symptoms
- Fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain
- Fullness under the right rib cage with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Prevention
- Avoid drinking unclean water or eating raw or undercooked food
- Do not share needles, razors, or toothbrushes with others
- Use condoms every time you have sexual intercourse
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis viruses
4. Skin and Mucous Membrane Infections
- Leptospirosis
Caused by Leptospira bacteria, often outbreaks occur during the rainy season or flooding. The disease is spread by rodents such as rats, which carry the bacteria in their kidneys without being sick. The bacteria are excreted in their urine, hence the name “Leptospirosis” - Symptoms
- Red, swollen conjunctiva
- Severe muscle pain
- Bleeding in various areas, especially in severe cases
- Skin rash
- Jaundice
- Prevention
- Wear protective gear such as boots, gloves, socks, and clothing
- Avoid contact with animals that are disease carriers
- Avoid contact with urine from cattle, buffalo, rats, pigs, and do not use water sources suspected of contamination
- Avoid eating food left out overnight uncovered
- Avoid working or wading in water or mud for prolonged periods
- Shower and clean the body promptly if exposed to water suspected of contamination
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Caused by direct contact with pathogens, sharing personal items, or through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. The disease spreads easily in crowded places such as trains, public buses, hospitals, schools, and is more common in children than adults - Symptoms
- Red eyes
- Mild pain in the eye socket
- Itchy, irritated eyes, feeling like there is a foreign object in the eye
- Watery eyes, swollen eyelids, possibly small bumps scattered around
- If bacterial infection is present, there will be a lot of discharge making it difficult to open eyes upon waking
- Prevention
- Frequently wash hands with soap and avoid touching or rubbing eyes
- Do not share eye drops between both eyes; stop using contact lenses until symptoms fully resolve
- Do not share towels, pillowcases, or blankets with infected persons
- Stay home from school or work for at least one week to prevent spreading the disease
- Rest your eyes and get enough sleep
- It is not necessary to cover the eyes unless there is corneal inflammation or severe irritation, in which case temporary eye covering or sunglasses may be used
We can reduce the risk of infectious diseases by maintaining good health and following preventive measures to avoid illness. Importantly, if abnormal symptoms occur, promptly see a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
