DOH issues alert vs summer diseases

MANILA, Philippines - With temperatures rising, the Department of Health (DOH) has reminded the public to take precautionary measures when they go under the sun to prevent summer illnesses and conditions, including heatstroke.

DOH spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy said heatstroke is common during summer when body temperatures rise due to heat and excessive sweating. He urged the public to stay indoors as much as possible between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Make sure that when you are
outdoors, bring your umbrella or any protection against the sun. Also, drink a lot of water for rehydration,” he added.

Lee Suy also cautioned about diarrhea and food poisoning caused by spoiled food.

Food easily gets spoiled during warm months, so it is important for the public to check on the quality of food, especially those that are not newly cooked.

“We’ll see many people heading to the beach and they bring their own food. They have to make sure that their food does not easily get spoiled. At home we tend to reheat food (but do) not keep cooked food for too long before eating them again, regardless if it is kept in the refrigerator,” he said.

During summer, cases of sore eyes or conjunctivitis are on the rise, caused by bacterial or viral infection and allergies.

To prevent sore eyes, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and avoid touching the face and eyes. Sharing of towels and eyeglasses are also discouraged.

Skin diseases like an-an and athlete’s foot are also common during summer due to the humid and hot weather. Lee Suy has advised the public to keep their skin and feet clean and dry to avoid infections.