Posted on November 03, 2023

THE IMPACT OF THE RAINY SEASON ON YOUR HEALTH!

Category:Wellness

The rainy season comes with mixed feelings for most people. Some will jubilate while most will lament and curse. Floods! Floods! Floods! This season will dictate new behavior patterns such as dress code. Not surprising is the fact that hospital admissions increase due to malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, asthma and so many other diseases.

In Uganda, there are two rainy seasons; March to May and September to November. The challenges this season brings keep on getting worse day by day, accelerated by poor waste disposal and drainage inadequacies. The ministry of health has made it critical to share health advisory messages at the start of every rainy season to remind the population about the impending doom of poor health ahead. This article will highlight the common health challenges associated with rainy season and ways of preventing such challenges.

1. Water borne illnesses arising from contaminated drinking water due to poor waste disposal and flooding. Typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery. Cases of hospital admissions as well as death increase due to such diseases.
2. Diarrhea caused by bacteria and virus. During the rainy season, disease causing organisms flourish and multiply which increases diarrheal cases especially in children.
3. Stagnant water ponds and bushes which act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It’s by no coincidence that malaria cases increase during rainy seasons.
4. Respiratory conditions such as asthma, coughs and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) become rampant due to cold weather which acts as a trigger for such conditions.
5. Soil borne illnesses that include helminthic infections such as round worms, hook worm, whip worm caused by walking bare foot.

The above health challenges can be minimized through the following ways.

1. Safe drinking water, through boiling or treating water for drinking. Ensure to drink from places with trusted hygiene records. Drinks such as local home-made juices should be taken with caution.
2. Proper personal hygiene through hand washing.
3. Proper home hygiene by maintaining clean and dry home spaces.
4. Proper waste disposal and improving drainage to minimize spread of water borne diseases.
5. Sleep under treated mosquito nets, clear water ponds and bushes around homes.
6. Wear full body covering clothes to minimize respiratory issues caused by cold weather.

Let’s take charge of our health. Remember, health is wealth!