Floods Are Coming Back, How to Take Care of Yourself

Currently, flood situations are returning. Many areas in Thailand are now being severely affected by flooding, especially in the northern and southern regions of the country.

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning to monitor flash floods in 35 provinces across the country. This is due to the strengthening monsoon trough causing heavy rainfall in many areas of Thailand.

When flooding occurs like this, consumption, travel, or daily life becomes difficult. There are also often diseases that come with flooding. Today, NOWFOODSTHAILAND will advise how we should behave during such flood situations, so that everyone can be prepared and maintain good health as we go through these difficult times together.

3 Diseases That Often Come with "Floods"

Athlete's Foot 

This often occurs when feet are submerged in water for a long time during prolonged flooding. Symptoms include itching and burning between the toes, peeling skin, cracking, or blistering. It can be prevented by wearing boots when necessary to wade through water, drying feet thoroughly after contact with water, and applying powder to reduce moisture.

Leptospirosis

A popular disease that comes with flooding, with rats as the disease vector. It often comes with rat urine contaminating water sources. The bacteria enter through the skin via wounds or abrasions. Symptoms include high fever, headache, severe muscle pain especially in the legs and back, and possibly red eyes and skin hemorrhages. It's recommended to avoid wading through water if unnecessary, prevent wounds from contacting water, and clean the body promptly after exposure to flood water.

Diarrhea 

A common disease during floods, as flooding makes it more difficult for us to consume food safely. Pathogens may contaminate food, causing diarrhea. Common symptoms include watery stools, mucus or blood in stools, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. It can be prevented by washing hands before eating, choosing to eat unexpired or the freshest food available at the time, and drinking clean water from sealed bottles.

During difficult times like flood situations, where travel is challenging and consuming nutritionally balanced food is difficult, we may develop various diseases, including nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, after maintaining proper hygiene, we may need to supplement with nutrients or vitamins after the flood period to ensure our body has good immunity, doesn't fall ill easily, and gets complete nutrition for everyone's good health. Supplements for various nutrients and vitamins are thus important.

We should choose products that supplement various nutrients or vitamins in complete amounts, with a variety of nutrients in appropriate quantities, and from brands that have received various certifications to ensure cleanliness and suitability.

"With care from NOWFOODSTHAILAND"

References

• Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. (2021). Manual for Prevention of Flood-Related Diseases.

• Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University. (2020). Nutrition for Health in Flood Conditions.

• World Health Organization. (2022). Flooding and communicable diseases fact sheet.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Natural Disasters and Severe Weather: Flood Waters or Standing Waters.