Diseases caused by floods Stalking

Jakarta, Kompas - The poor state of the environment due to rain and flooding increases the risk of public health, especially children and the elderly. Decline in endurance due to lifestyle changes and stress can trigger the emergence of a variety of physical and psychological illnesses.
During floods, many people clean water sources, particularly from shallow wells, submerged and contaminated. Availability of clean water in the camps are generally limited. Therefore, the provision of clean water is absolutely necessary."Clean water is not only needed for drinking, but also to clean up, such as bathing and washing hands," said Professor of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (Faculty of medicine) Azrul Anwar, in Jakarta, Thursday (17/1).Use of contaminated water can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and itching. In the refugee camps, the disease is easily and quickly spread due to the very limited evacuation.Other diseases that are vulnerable to attack is acute respiratory infections (ARI). Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health Ministry Tjandra Yoga Aditama said ISPA can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or microbes. Symptoms include cough and fever. Severe respiratory infection can be accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain."The gathering of many people, such as refugees, making ARI contagious," he said.The disease is transmitted bacteria leptospira leptospirosis can also arise. In Indonesia, the disease is generally transmitted through feces and rat urine were mixed with flood water. Leptospira bacteria can enter the body through wounds."Avoid playing the flood water, especially if there are injuries. If you have to move in a flood, use protection, "said Tjandra.The potential for other diseases that could arise and spread dengue fever, typhoid fever caused by unclean food, as well as disorders of skin infections.Vulnerable groupsIn any disaster, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable group affected. Conditions camps are overcrowded, damp and noisy to make children uncomfortable and susceptible to disease."Never mind the children, even adults susceptible to disease due to displacement conditions that completely uncomfortable," said the professor of Pediatrics Faculty of Medicine and former Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatric Association Sukman T Son.Cranky is the response of children to face inconvenience. "It is important to keep the children stay comfortable and not stressed despite being in an uncomfortable environment," he said. One way to ensure adequate food and drinks to children.Azrul added stress can affect anyone, including those who are not flooded but disrupted activity or stuck in traffic. Stress can lead to further decline in the immune system.In adults, stress can be overcome by adjustment to existing conditions. As for children, the stress can be reduced by encouraging children to play."Stress can lead to physical and mental disorders," said a member of the Division of Geriatric Medicine Department of Medicine Faculty of medicine Siti Setiati.In displacement, stress in the elderly can make uncontrolled blood pressure, triggering heart problems and stroke. The condition is aggravated by the reduced water consumption to trigger dehydration.Setiati recalled the importance of keeping older people living in refugee camps, especially those with degenerative diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis. Stress, physical environment of uncontrolled and sudden change can make a deterioration suffered any illness. Adequate food and keep them warm can help maintain the immune system."The drugs were to drink on a regular basis needs to be controlled," he said.Sources: http://health.kompas.com/read/2013/01/18/08481227/