Can you feel it? How hot ENSO is? Everyday it seems like ENSO is on its feet to break the record of the hottest temperature. 

El Niño- Southern Oscillation (ENSO) or most commonly known as El Niño can directly release its harmful health effects through heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. But do you know that aside from these diseases, El Niño can bring us other health worries?

Due to the extreme heat caused by El Niño, there are occurrences of droughts turning large reservoirs into dry areas. And as we consider water vital to keep a clean and healthy environment, we have to reflect on how to deal with little and almost nothing of it. This not only affects agricultural sectors but it brings a lot of dilemmas to health organizations.

People are now trying to save water. But, keeping and saving water must be done properly and safely because El Niño phenomenon doesn’t give a threat to mosquito-borne diseases from spreading.

What are the common mosquito-borne diseases present in our country that we have to prevent?

Dengue fever- it is an illness caused by a virus being transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes called Aedes aegypti. An infected person cannot spread the dengue virus but mosquitoes can that’s why we have to eliminate such from breeding. Anyone is at threat with this type of virus but those who have weak immune status are at higher risk. Symptoms such as high grade fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pains and joint pains may be observed in 3-14 days after the infective bite. Such disease needs immediate action before it progress to life-threatening severe dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.

Malaria- it is a disease wherein a Plasmodium parasite is transmitted in the body through bite of an infected adult female Anopheles mosquito. Unlike dengue mosquitoes, malaria-carrying mosquito bites from dusk to dawn. The Plasmodium parasite lives up and multiplies in the liver, infects the red blood cells and disrupts the blood supply in the vital organs. Children, adults and those who are in endemic areas are susceptible to this kind of disease. An infected person may experience fever, chills, headache and vomiting after 8 to 20 days of the infective bite.

Filariasis (Elephantiasis)- Lymphatic Filariasis/Filariasis is an infection brought by mosquitoes by transmitting parasite larvae and adult worms from an infected person to someone else. The parasite lives in the lymphatic system which is responsible in transporting a watery clear fluid called lymph. Once the lymphatic system is damaged, the normal flow of the lymph fluid will be restricted resulting to harmful effects in our body tissues and restrictions in toxins removal. This disease is rarely fatal but can cause permanent and long-term disability due to pain swelling of limb, genitals, breast or legs. From the time of infective bite, it will usually take 5 to 18 months for the parasite to develop and gradually infect the human body. Those who live in tropical and endemic areas are exposed in this kind of disease.

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines available for these diseases. However, in our country today, there are mass treatments for drugs available for mosquito-borne diseases. We can also prevent these diseases by observing some helpful tips:

 AvAvoid stagnant water- cover water containers properly. Avoid clear and stagnant water as it serves as a perfect breeding ground for disease-causing mosquitoes. Replace water from vases at least once a week, get rid of old tires and keep gutters clean because these are the common breeding places.

<!-Wear long-sleeves and pants when going outdoors and to endemic areas-Observing proper clothing especially outdoors can help in mosquito-borne disease prevention. Use clothes that are necessary to the environment condition and those that brings comfort to eliminate mosquito bites and any harmful disease to occur. Prophylactic antibiotics can also be prescribed by your doctor prior to travelling to endemic areas.

 Us  Use insect repellent- There are things to consider when it comes to choosing what insect repellent to purchase and use. It is most important to determine for how long one will need the protection, what is the level of exposure of the person to the virus and infection as well as the active ingredients it may contain. Insect repellent is made available for various skin types to perfectly suit one’s needs. Such products also require proper usage to work effectively and do away with unwanted health effects.

 

Provide bed nets and screens- be protected from any mosquitoes especially in peak mosquito hours. Use bed nets and screens to eliminate mosquitoes from entering the house and spread various diseases.

 

Keeping a clean and healthy living environment can ensure optimum wellness for everyone. And a combination of healthy lifestyle and proper sanitation can definitely outwit any diseases. Take those little steps and start reaching for a quality way of living. Do not let the heat of El Niño and the health issues it carries on ruin your summer and the rest of your whole life! Enjoy a healthy and fun summer season!

References:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/m/mosquito/basics.htm

http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/

http://www.dhpe.org/infect/Lymphfil.html

http://www.centralgarehab.com/patti/rehab%20lymph%20broch%202009.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/insectrp.html

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/multimedia/2002/eth_malaria208699.jpg

http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/multimedia/2002/en/eth_water208127.jpg

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/images/modules/baby_sleeping_under_net_145w.jpg