With summer in full swing, children and the youth who are enjoying a respite from school try to make the most out of these months to travel to new places, explore resorts or enjoy a vacation in the homes of relatives. We cram activities during summer to wean children who are hooked to computers or TV for most of the year. Summer is a time for growing up, a season for stacking memories.The summer heat however brings with it diseases which our children can be vulnerable to if we do not take correct precautions. Among the contagious viral diseases are sore eyes and chicken pox which spread easily during summer due to what health professionals call the “socialization patterns.” Children who are on their summer vacation, tend to be unwitting carriers of virus, easily spreading it to family members or playmates.
Other common diseases during summer are diarrhea and skin diseases such as rashes and prickly heat. Knowing the dire effects of UV rays on the skin, most parents insist their children put sunblock when they are exposed to the sun but sometimes, this does not seem to be enough. They are regularly in contact with other people, more so if they are involved in sports. It is important, especially with the added humidity, that we practice physical hygiene and ensure that our environment is clean.
There are instances when we have to be aware of any construction or repair of our water pipes as these could bring water-borne diseases due to contaminated pipes and low water pressure. In 2005, more than 50 people were hospitalized and four died due to cholera outbreak in Northern Samar.
With the number of people enjoying the summer break, food stalls sprout near beach resorts or parks offering various kinds of food which may not be monitored by the health department. Food-spoiling bacteria such as salmonella spread faster under extreme heat.
On top of all these precautions is the need for our children to drink more glasses of water to cool down their body and replenish the loss of water due to excessive perspiration. Let’s make the most of summer and enjoy good health, as well.
