During the rainy season, many areas face flooding, damp soil, and continuous heavy rain. Many people live outdoors, wading through water, working in gardens, farming, and rice planting without ever considering the risks hidden in these “familiar” things. One of the diseases that often comes with the rainy season, and many people are still not well aware of, is
“Melioidosis,” or officially called Melioidosis, is a disease caused by a type of bacteria found in soil and natural water sources, especially in northeastern Thailand. This bacteria can enter the body through various routes, including small skin wounds, respiratory tract, or even by swallowing contaminated water unknowingly.
High-risk groups include
- People who work outdoors or frequently come into contact with soil and water, such as farmers, rice growers, and gardeners
- People with certain underlying diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or immunodeficiency, may have a higher risk of infection than the general population
Melioidosis does not have specific symptoms in the early stage
This causes many people to misunderstand and think it is a common cold or seasonal flu. Symptoms usually start with
- High fever
- Chills
- Cough with phlegm in cases of lung infection
- Abdominal pain in cases of liver abscess
If the bacteria spread into the bloodstream
It may cause severe complications in some cases. The important thing is to know how to prevent it without waiting to get sick first. Just a small change in behavior can greatly reduce the risk, such as
- Wear boots or gloves when working in soil or water sources
- Avoid walking barefoot through water or soaking in unclean water
- Wash hands and bathe thoroughly immediately after contact with soil, water, or rain droplets
- If you have a wound, even a small one, it should be properly covered before going to work
- Do not drink water from natural sources that have not been filtered or boiled clean
- If you have an underlying disease like diabetes, you must manage and control your blood sugar levels within the normal range
Although melioidosis is not commonly found in everyone, for high-risk groups, being aware and preventing it beforehand is better than waiting for health problems to occur. Some diseases may start from small things we overlook. Don’t assume that just a fever is always harmless. Knowing early, preventing it, and staying safe in every season.
