Thailand has entered the rainy and monsoon season, causing many areas to face heavy rainfall and continuous flooding. Flooding not only damages homes and public utilities but also serves as a breeding ground for pathogens that can severely impact health. Many diseases can spread through stagnant floodwaters and affect your health both in the short and long term.
Diseases Commonly Associated with Stagnant Floodwaters
When heavy rain causes flooding in Bangkok, many people have to wade through water to get to work or school. The floodwater may not just be ordinary rainwater but also a breeding ground for pathogens that can cause serious diseases, especially Leptospirosis and Athlete’s Foot, which are commonly found during floods like now.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is caused by the bacteria Leptospira found in the urine of animals, especially rats. Stagnant floodwaters often act as a medium for spreading the bacteria. When people wade through contaminated water with wounds, abrasions, or direct contact with carriers, the bacteria can enter the body.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis
- High fever, chills
- Muscle aches, especially in the calves and back
- Red eyes, headache
- In severe cases, complications such as kidney failure, liver failure, or death may occur
Athlete’s Foot
Wading through floodwaters for a long time can cause Athlete’s Foot, which results from moisture that makes the skin susceptible to fungal infections. Additionally, dirty water can cause ulcers and severe secondary infections.
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
- Peeling skin, itching, and irritation
- Swollen and red feet or ulcers
- If infected, swelling and pain may occur
Recommendations for Disease Prevention
- Avoid wading through floodwaters. If necessary, wear boots.
- If you have wounds or abrasions, avoid wading through water and cover wounds securely with waterproof plasters.
- After wading through floodwaters, wash your feet and body thoroughly with soap.
- If you experience abnormal symptoms such as high fever or severe muscle pain, see a doctor immediately.
Wading through floodwaters in Bangkok may be unavoidable for many people, but the diseases to watch out for are Leptospirosis and Athlete’s Foot. Besides prevention by wearing waterproof shoes and cleaning the body thoroughly, it is important to take care of your health after being exposed to rain or floodwaters, such as changing wet clothes immediately, bathing and washing hair thoroughly to prevent pathogens carried by rainwater, drinking warm water to regulate body temperature, and using blankets or warm clothing to maintain warmth. If you experience abnormal symptoms such as high fever or non-healing wounds, see a doctor immediately to prevent disease progression and long-term health impacts. With care from Phyathai Nawamin Hospital.
