Flooding brings disease on top of destruction

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakartans have been through a lot these last few weeks. On top of the damage to their houses and property caused by flooding, various diseases lurk in the shadows and murky water, ready to pounce on unwary residents.

"Filthy water carrying bacteria can quickly spread at times of flood, when it's difficult to maintain hygiene," Ministry of Health director general of communicable diseases and environmental health Umar Fahmi Achmadi said.

Furthermore, communicable diseases are rife at these times -- a simple bout of the common cold can quickly spread to others in temporary shelters.

Weakened by long exposure to the rain and cold, the body is vulnerable to these otherwise mild diseases, which can quickly turn nasty if not properly treated.

Below are some diseases the floods might cause, along with their symptoms and suggested treatments, as stated by experts and published on the Internet.

* DERMATITIS

What: Dermatitis, or skin inflammation, is caused by the skin's long exposure to dirty water, says dermatologist Gunawan Budisantoso of the Persahabatan hospital, East Jakarta.

Symptoms: Commonly indicated by red blotches where the skin is itchy. The skin should not be scratched as that could cause further infection which, if untreated, could lead to suppuration and even swelling.

Treatment: Bathe inflicted skin with clean water and soap. A special soap is not needed to bathe the skin, as long as it is bathed thoroughly, Gunawan said.

* TINEA VERSICOLOR

What: Locally called panu -- an overgrowth of a skin surface yeast (type of fungus) resulting in uneven skin color and scaling that can be unsightly and sometimes itchy.

Symptoms: The rash has small and scaly white, pink, tan or dark spots. These spots are scattered over the upper arms, chest and back, and may also appear on the neck or face. Occasionally, there is some slight itching that is more intense when a person gets hot.

Treatment: It is treated with either topical or oral medication. Topical treatment includes special cleansers, such as some shampoos, creams or lotions applied directly to the skin, once or twice a day.

* ATHLETE'S FOOT

What: A skin disease, better known here as kutu air (literally means water lice) caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. Fungus grows fast in warm, dark and humid areas such as are found after floods.

Symptoms: Drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation and blisters. Blisters often lead to cracking of the skin. When blisters break, small raw areas of tissue are exposed, causing pain and swelling. Itching and burning may increase as the infection spreads.

Athlete's foot can spread to other parts of the body, notably groin and underarms, by those who scratch the infection and then touch themselves elsewhere.

Treatment: In mild cases of the infection, it is important to keep the feet dry by dusting foot powder in shoes and hose. The feet should be bathed frequently and all areas around the toes dried thoroughly.

Gunawan warned people who develop fungal infections to consult a doctor right away, as incorrect treatment might worsen the condition. "Over-the-counter drugs, if applied to the incorrect fungus infection, could encourage the fungus growth instead of killing it," he said.

* URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)

What: Bacterial infection that occurs in the urinary tract of males or females when microorganisms, usually from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. Most infections arise from one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon.

"When people don't get much opportunity to change to clean clothes, such as during the floods, they are more liable to UTI," Gunawan said.

In most cases, bacteria first begin growing in the urethra. From there, bacteria often moves on to the bladder, causing bladder infection (cystitis). If not immediately treated, the bacteria may then go up the ureters to infect the kidneys (pyelonephritis).

Symptoms: These may include a frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination. It is not unusual to feel tired, shaky or washed out and to feel pain even when not urinating.

The urine itself may look milky or cloudy, even reddish if blood is present. A fever may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys. Other symptoms of a kidney infection include pain in the back or side below the ribs, nausea, or vomiting.

Treatment: UTIs are treated with antibacterial drugs. The choice of drug and length of treatment depend on the patient's history and the urine tests that identify the offending bacteria.

* DIARRHEA

What: Excessive and frequent passing of loose or watery stools. It may indicate gastrointestinal disease caused by contaminated food and water.

Symptoms: Abdominal pain and cramping, change in stool color, or mucous, pus, blood, or fat in the stool.

Treatment: In many cases, diarrhea resolves on its own. The most serious, potential complication of diarrhea is dehydration and those at highest risk are infants, children and the elderly.

To avoid dehydration, replace fluids by taking small amounts or sips of clear liquids, such as water, ginger ale, noncaffeinated colas, broth, apple juice, and over-the-counter oral rehydration solution.

When diarrhea subsides, begin eating easily digested food such as rice, baked potatoes, bananas, toast, and chicken.

Avoid milk products, spicy or fatty foods, fruit, bran and vegetables for the following 24 hours. Do not drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Do not take aspirin or other over-the- counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications until after speaking with your healthcare provider.

Seek medical attention if diarrhea exceeds fluids taken in or if watery diarrhea lasts for 24 hours. Be especially careful about dehydration when diarrhea and vomiting occur at the same time.

* RESPIRATORY INFECTION

What: Diseases caused by virus attacking the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat and lungs) including influenza (flu), the common cold, which if not treated properly could lead to the more serious condition of pneumonia.

Usually taken as one and the same, the flu and the common cold are actually two different diseases, with the former usually more severe than the latter.

Symptoms: "Flu-like symptoms" include fever, headache, tiredness (can be extreme), dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches.

Most people who get the flu will recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications as a result of the flu. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu.

People over 65 years old, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, and very young children are more likely to get complications from flu.

Treatment: Rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco, take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms and fever in particular without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers with influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.