Monday, May 19, 2008
Summer and health risks
While writing this piece, I must confess: it’s raining. Yesterday my uncle told me, that he, and not only he, experiences climate changes also here in the Philippines
Anyway, we still have “summer” and Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has warned us already some time ago about the effects of over exposure to heat and sun this summer.
People should drink at least eight to 12 glasses of water a day during this time of the year to avoid dehydration. To be honest, I also can’t bear with such people, laying on beaches to get brown. Guys, avoid too much exposure to the sun - or did nobody explain you details about skin cancer yet??? Beachgoers should really avoid heat stroke and heat cramps… .
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) warned Philippinos AND vacationers against three threats: Road accidents, sunburn and diarrhea.
By the way: did you know that during summer season in the Philippines there are more incidents of children (and adults) being bitten by dogs? Public should be reminded, that dog owners should put their pets on leash and they should be reminded of Republic Act 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007). The law has stipulated costly penalties as it ranges from hundreds to thousands of pesos depending on the severity of your offense.
Meanwhile the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned against possible health hazards brought by increasing temperature in the country. I myself must confess, that my family and me observing this since 1999, when we move to the Philippines for good. Just a couple of days ago the temperature in Metro Manila hit a new 37 degrees Celsius heat record.
There were increasing reports of Filipinos died of heatstroke, because of the warmer temperature during summer.
Cholera, dengue
I wish us all a very good time. Enjoy the summer in the Philippines - and, stay healthy and don’t get sick. Cheers!!!
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# 1 athena said:
men at the beach also have a a risk of straining the eyes from too much exposure to the sights of women in bikinis
ha ha ha 
# 2 MarcelinaWW said:
Hi Klaus,
The last time I visited the Phils. was in 1981 for two weeks. Both my legs were so swollen with mosquito bites I mean enormous red bumps from knees down to my ankles. I had used anti-bugs spray and ointments but “they” just ignored them.
I don’t remember having that problem before I left the country. Was it a “we missed you” greeting or what?
Another scenario…my good friend went back for a visit last December, rainy, spent 3 weeks there. She was rushed to the emergency the moment she came home – some sort of water problem? I don’t remember now, but I knew she became really ill and it turned out later that she also had pneumonia. Besides the shots required for traveling, any other practical preparations you would suggest? Maybe springtime 2009 would be the best time to visit, maybe… let’s see what the dollar rates will be at that time.
# 3 Bob said:
Hi athena - It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!
# 4 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Athena - bitaw!!! You are right.
Hi Bob, you are also right - thanks for stopping by…
Hi MarcelinaWW, regards mosquito bites; i got the same experiences being here in the Philippines for our annual vacation. Since we move here for good - ‘they’ mostly ignore me - BUT ATTACK our visitors while sitting on our veranda for example…
- Regarding the best time to come to the Philippines is really Christmas season and the months January and February, if you like to avoid the heat we usually have during the months March up to May. Water is always a problem. During vacations I never tried tap water. Meanwhile my immune system and whole body adjusted itself - but EVEN, my family and I continue drinking Natural Spring Water from the water dispenser. It’s very affordable: one gallon 80 pesos, if you order 3 gallons you will get one gallon for free…
# 5 Cidy said:
Hi Klaus,
That’s right! Prevention is better than cure.. Have a wonderful summer days
# 6 Klaus Doring said:
hi cidy, slamat kaayo.
# 7 Chas said:
Hi Klaus,I have done a fair ammount of research over time on dengue fever,and have a recent article, i will send you when i locate it, regarding new favourable lab research on finding a cure.What i have learnt so far is: The best repellent available is deet based,some people shy from it as it is a pesticide,but it is far superior to any herbal or citronella sprays.If the instructions are STRICTLY followed there should not be a problem unless people suffer from very sensitive skin.A repellant spray with 50% deet content will give protection up to 8 to 10hrs,lower content sprays are available but have a shorter protection time.Herbal or other repellants are not as effective and will only last 2 or3 hours then need re applying.Deet based spray should only be applied to exposed skin and not under clothing and should be washed off when you return to stay in doors and should not be used as a indoor spray.Scientific research shows that wrist/ankle bands are not effective and basically a waste of time.One IMPORTANT thing to remember,if you are applying sun protection cream,apply this cream first,wait 30 mins before applying mossi repellant.If you apply repellant immediately after applying sun cream,this will nuetralise the effect of the mossi repellant.If during the day you re apply sun cream,then you must re apply repellant again 30mins later.Dengue fever can be a killer,worldwide 2-5 billion people are at risk,50 million people are infected every year of which 24000 die.I hope this info is useful.Regards Chas.
# 8 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Chas, that’s very interesting. Thank you so very much for sharing your information with all LiP readers.I must confess, that I am very much afraid of Dengue - and not like to Malaria…
# 9 BrSpiritus said:
Having had dengue fever myself I can say it is very survivable, you just have to recognize the symptoms early on. As Ichi can attest, the tawi tawi tea does wonders for your recovery time.
# 10 Klaus Doring said:
Hi BrSpiritus, I remember you as one of my first readers. I am glad you “survive” dengue fever. YEAH, YOU ARE RIGHT, THE TWAI TWAI PLANT DOES WONDERS. I am glad we have it also in our garden. Thanks, you are fine, and thanks for stopping by…