Photo by ROUELLE UMALI

Keeping your children healthy amid floods and typhoons has never been more important than at this time when the whole country is still reeling from Ondoy’s and Pepeng’s devastation. Flood-borne diseases are rife.

In Metro Manila alone, says the Department of Health (DOH), there are over 1,000 reported cases of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through the urine of infected animals. With many parts of the country still flooded and because bacteria travel through water, parents have to know what they are up against.

What the floods bear

Floods carry all sorts of diseases that are especially dangerous to children given their fragile immune systems. One of these diseases is leptospirosis. Generally associated with rat urine, leptospirosis is also transmitted through the urine of other infected animals like dogs, pigs, cattle, rabbits, and horses.

Floodwater hastens the spread of its bacteria. Humans become infected when they come in contact with contaminated food or floodwater – absorbing it through cuts in the skin, accidentally drinking it or splashing it in one’s eyes. According to DOH, the disease’s incubation period is seven to 12 days after exposure. Symptoms – fever, a red skin rash, and general weakness – may come out as early as four days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

Apart from this, children are also prone to getting fungal infections on their feet or what we know as alipunga. “If children, or even adults, wade in floodwaters for long periods of time, their feet get soft enough to make creases in the soles,” explains Dr. Marcelo Agana, school physician of Don Bosco Mandaluyong. “Bacteria seep in through these creases.”

Typhoid is another disease to watch out for, says Dr. Agana. This is caused by ingesting food and water contaminated by sewage water or floodwater carrying the salmonella typhi bacteria. Symptoms of typhoid include consistent high fever, headache, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal infections and amoebiasis are also manifested through similar symptoms.

Prevention is key

“Self-medication for these diseases is not advisable,” says Dr. Agana, “since these are not just your 24-hour fevers.”

If you or your children have been exposed to flood water recently and are exhibiting several symptoms of any of the diseases just mentioned, see a doctor immediately. It may just be your regular fever, yes, but it doesn’t hurt to be sure.

To prevent these symptoms altogether, Dr. Agana suggests you bundle your children in protective clothing if they really have to walk through floodwaters. Rainboots and raincoats with hoods are perfect.

“Also, nothing beats good nutrition,” says Dr. Agana. “From the beginning, feed your children a balanced diet and supplement this with vitamins B complex and vitamin C, which are both good in building resistance to diseases.”

Clean-up basics

When the typhoon leaves the country and the flood goes down, your problems do not end yet. You are now faced with having to clean up. But because you have children in your house, simple cleaning won’t do. Everything will have to be disinfected to prevent flood-borne bacteria from infecting your kids. Read on and find out how to keep your house safe and bacteria-free.

1. Start with the food items

If you’re not sure whether any food has been submerged in floodwater, discard it. Food kept in airtight glass jars or tin-canned food can still be saved if the containers were just splashed with flood water.

But remember to disinfect the containers and cans by immersing these for two minutes in a solution made up of three tablespoons of bleach mixed with one gallon of water. Make sure the containers are sealed tight before immersing them in the solution.

2. Sterilize utensils

Using this same solution, disinfect utensils, cooking utensils, dishes, and drinking glasses. Then wash these with hot water and soap. Rinse well.

3. Let the sun in

Ventilate your house to remove the stench of the floodwater. Also, leptospirosis bacteria are killed by heat, disinfectants, and acids. Let the sun in to kill the germs.

4. Safe water 

Boil drinking water, if you drink from the tap, for at least five minutes. Leptospirosis bacteria can also live in fresh water.

5. Electrical Works

Have an electrician check all electrical equipment and wiring. Before you use appliances or outlets, make sure that they are dry and clean.

6. No playing outside

Don't let your children play in water or sand for now. These are areas that may still be contaminated.

7. Wash hands properly

Teach your children to consistently wash their hands and make sure that they break the habit of putting their hands into their mouths. Wash your hands after handling items that have been in floodwater.