ENSO HITS FOOD AND SKIN
Everyone loves to have fun during summer season. Partying during festivities and beach hopping are definitely on the list. Think of all the exciting things you can do but never forget ENSO.
Throughout El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, extra safety measures should always be on the traveling pack. Diseases are all set to ruin and hold the enjoyment and you need to have a good health defense. Aside from heat-related illnesses and mosquito-borne diseases, it’s also a must to get protected from food-borne and skin diseases that are actively present during ENSO phenomenon.
Due to poor sanitation mainly caused by water supply shortage, various kind of viruses and bacteria gain valuable strength to spread number of diseases. What else can be a better way for them to easily penetrate the human body than to break in food and drinks? Contaminated food and drinks are the common cause of food-borne diseases such as:
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TYPHOID FEVER
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| CAUSE: Salmonella typhi bacteria |
| MODE OF ACTION: Bacteria lives and multiplies in the bloodstream and intestinal tract of humans |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: High grade fever, stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, constipation, bloody nose and rose-colored spots |
| SUSCEPTIBILITY: Anyone |
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CHOLERA
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| CAUSE: Vibrio cholerae bacteria |
| MODE OF ACTION: Bacteria produces toxin that poison the intestine cells |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Profuse watery diarrhea that can lead to severe dehydration, copious vomiting, leg cramps |
| SUSCEPTIBILITY: Anyone |
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HEPATITIS A
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| CAUSE: Hepa A Virus or HAV |
| MODE OF ACTION: Bacteria lives and multiplies in the liver cells and can be found in stool |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Low grade fever, flu-like symptoms, muscle pains, joint pains, loss of appetite, dizziness, abdominal pain, excessive tiredness, sore throat |
| SUSCEPTIBILITY: Anyone |
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FOOD POISONING
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| CAUSE: Bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. |
| MODE OF ACTION: The bacteria and viruses infect the abdominal area |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Fever, stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite |
| SUSCEPTIBILITY: Anyone |
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DIARRHEA
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| CAUSE: Bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. |
| MODE OF ACTION: Bacteria, viruses, parasites break in the food and drinks and infect people once ingested |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Watery liquid stools, abdominal cramps, fever, dehydration |
| SUSCEPTIBILITY: Anyone |
These diseases are relatively easy to prevent and avoid occurrence to a more serious medical condition if necessary treatments are being observed. Keeping ourselves away from any diseases works best by maintaining a healthy living environment most especially in areas where we store and prepare foods. Sustain good sanitation in the kitchen and place food containers in clean storage cabinets to avoid exposure on various germs and bacteria. Also, the most important reminder would be, to practise strict proper hand washing before and after touching anything that may affect the goodness of the food.
There are articles about the effects of food intake in human skin condition in internet sites and beauty magazines although there were some who opposed the idea. But no one seems to disagree in considering sun as the skin’s worst enemy. Yes, ENSO does not stop from bridging ways to spoil mouth-watering foods but it can definitely damage a fair silky smooth skin or aggravates diseases that affect skin condition. There are common illnesses that usually arise and cause greater complications during El Niño phenomenon.
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SUNBURN
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CHICKENPOX
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MEASLES
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| CAUSE: Excessive sun exposure |
CAUSE: Varicella virus |
CAUSE: Virus |
| MODE OF ACTION: The skin gets burn due to too much heat and Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. |
MODE OF ACTION: Virus can travel from one person to another through direct contact or airborne transmission |
MODE OF ACTION: Virus can travel from one person to another through droplet transmission |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Skin turns pink and red for more serious case with pain and swelling. |
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Mild fever, rashes and appearance of red blisters throughout the body |
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Flu-like symptoms, high fever and runny nose, rashes with red and white spots in the mouth |
| SUSCEPTIBILITY: Anyone |
SUSCEPTIBILITY: Mostly children |
SUSCEPTIBILITY: Mostly children |
| PREVENTION: Use sunblock and sunscreen protection that is suitable to one's needs. |
PREVENTION: Immunization, keep away from an infected person |
PREVENTION: Immunization, keep away from an infected person |
It should be a constant reminder for everybody that rain or shine, health should not be put at risk. Every people must take the responsibility in maintaining optimum wellness. Increasing health awareness will let one realize that most of the diseases present in the country can be prevented by seriously taking simple health tips. Do not let any climate condition take the control of life for it will soon do no good for anybody. Better yet, get prepared, have the strong overall body defense and keep a healthy and positive lifestyle. Enjoy every minute of summer time!
References:
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/about.asp
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/about.asp
http://www.doh.gov.ph/healthadvisories/cholera
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/food_poisoning/article_em.htm
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/diarrhea/article_em.htm
http://www.who.int/topics/measles/en/
http://www.medicinenet.com/chickenpox_varicella/article.htm
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sun_burn.JPG
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