Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 11) — The dry season does not only bring hot and humid weather but also a host of health problems.
The common illnesses or conditions to watch out for during the dry season include sunburn, sore eyes, diarrhea, skin diseases, cough and colds, and dog bite infection, infectious disease specialist Dr. Eric Tayag told Newsroom Ngayon on Tuesday.
Tayag said sunburn could lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening heat illness.
“Ang heatstroke ay isang emergency sapagkat ang temperature ng isang taong nagkakaroon ng heatstroke ay 40 degrees [Celsius] pataas at meron nang altered mental state — pwedeng confusion, pwedeng agitation. Pwedeng magkaroon ng seizures o kaya naman mauwi ‘yan sa coma,” he explained.
[Translation: Heatstroke is an emergency because people experiencing this will have a body temperature of 40 degrees [Celsius] and above, and an altered mental state — which can be confusion or agitation. Seizures are possible or worse, they can lead to a coma.]
Those having heatstroke symptoms should immediately seek medical attention, he said. While waiting for medical help, first aid includes removal of excess clothing and cooling the person with whatever is available, such as ice.
Tayag advised people to avoid prolonged sun exposure and intense physical activity in hot weather.
“Kailangan ang lahat ay mayroong ‘lilim break’ para nang sa ganun ay hindi nabibilad ng mahabang oras,” he added.
[Translation: Everyone has to have a “shade break” so they are not exposed to the sun for extended periods.]
As for those who may have sore eyes, they must not scratch their eyes or use eye drops without a doctor’s advice, Tayag said.
Meanwhile, he said those who have been bitten by a dog must get a rabies vaccine immediately.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said if a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a possible exposure to the rabies virus, it can cause disease in the brain, resulting in death.
