Diseases and Their Prevention

Diarrhea

What causes it?

Diarrhea can spread through stale and contaminated food, water, through dirty hands or if one is in contact with fecal matter. All sorts of bacteria, viruses and parasites cause gastronomies which eventually can lead to diarrhea.

Symptoms
1. Watery stools
2. Upset stomach or cramps
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Fever
5. Dehydration

You might recover from diarrhea in a matter of days if proper care is taken but in the meantime, it is very important to drink plenty of liquid, including saline so that your body doesn’t get dehydrated. Try to have regular meals but make sure it’s light and short; avoid rich food until you fully recover.

Prevention tips:
1. Cook food properly, especially if it is meat.
2. Store cooked food and raw food separately.
3. Wash your hands with soap and water to avoid germ build-up.
4. Clean toilets on a regular basis.
5. Keep the house as clean as possible.
6. Don’t prepare food for others if you are suffering from diarrhea
7. Avoid contact with others or objects which other people use during this time.

Common cold

What causes it?

You can catch a common cold or flu by being directly in contact with a person who already has it or by breathing in the viruses which are launched into the air every time someone with a cold or flu sneezes, coughs or speaks. By touching a contaminated surface, like a tissue used by an infected person, hand rails, doorknobs, computer or mobile phones, viruses often spread.

Symptoms
1.Sore or irritated throat
2. Coughing
3. Sneezing
4. Dry cough
5. Aching muscles
6. Headache
7.Sore throat
8. Extreme exhaustion
9. Runny or blocked nose
10. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
11. Fever
Prevention tips:
1. Cover your mouth and use a tissue when coughing and sneezing.
2. Dispose used tissue properly and wash your hands.
3. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.
4. Avoid close contact with people who have a cold or flu.
5. Clean and disinfect regularly used objects.

Skin Infection

What causes it?

Athlete’s foot, cellulitis and boils are some of the most common skin infections. They are caused by harmful fungi, bacteria and viruses which can spread through skin to skin contact.

Symptoms
Some common symptoms for all types of skin infections are:
1. Itching
2. Pain and discomfort
3. Burning
4. Pus
5. Rashes
Prevention tips:
1. Skin infections are highly contagious so remember to wash your hands with soap and hand sanitizers.
2. Bathing or showering regularly is the best way to prevent skin infections. Make sure you wash thoroughly to remove any harmful bacteria and germs.
3. Cover your wounds. It is easier for germs to get inside the skin when there are cuts.
4. Don’t stay in wet clothes for too long, change as soon as possible from sweaty and wet cloths to prevent fungal infections.