Flooding brings disease on top of destruction

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.