Rio Grande do Sul has been facing the biggest flood in its history. According to the State Civil Defense, there are already around 88,019 people displaced, 16,609 people in shelters and another 155 injured as a result of the damage caused by the floods. At least 334 municipalities were affected by flooding.
In this extreme scenario where the immediate focus is to save lives, many secondary care measures can be forgotten, such as preventive measures against diseases caused by contact with contaminated water, mud or food and also diseases caused by contact with venomous or non-venomous animals.
According to Luciano Lunardi, a doctor who is part of the Hospital Infection Control Service at Hospital Cristo Redentor, the main diseases to which residents and people who work in flooded areas are exposed are: hepatitis A, leptospirosis, diarrheal diseases and tetanus, with tetanus being a risk only to people who did not receive the tetanus vaccine in childhood.
According to the sources interviewed in this matter, there is still no increase in hospitalizations due to the diseases mentioned.
Tetanus vaccines are being administered by volunteer doctors in temporary shelters provided by Porto Alegre city hall. Only in the shelter of the School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance (ESEF) at UFRGS, 50 doses were administered this Saturday.
According to Benvegnú Toti, director of Primary Care at Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, if river levels take more than 20 days to drop, it is recommended that people avoid drinking tap water as much as possible. As a precaution, it will be necessary to boil and filter the water and, if these measures are not possible, treat the water with two drops of bleach for every 200ml and leave it to act for 30 minutes.
Preventive measures for those who are going to access a flooded area
The main preventive measure against infectious diseases transmitted through contact with contaminated water or mud is to avoid flooded areas. But obviously many people need to enter these places. See below how to proceed in these cases:
- Use rubber gloves and boots;
- Seal the space between clothing and shoes and gloves with adhesive tape;
- Avoid as much as possible contact of water with skin in general, especially hands, mouth and eyes;
- Put the clothes in the wash when possible and do not leave the items in contact with clean clothes. Clean surfaces that have come into contact with dirty parts using soap and water or cleaning products;
- In the absence of gloves or rubber boots, use double plastic bags, securely tied to the legs, hands and arms;
What to do if your home has been hit by floods:
- Houses and all objects hit by water or mud from the flood must be sanitized with bleach.
- A solution of 1 glass of bleach for every 20 liters of water is recommended.
Check out the symptoms of the most common diseases and what to do in each case:
Leptospirosis
Acute febrile infectious disease transmitted from direct or indirect exposure to animal urine (mainly rats).
Symptoms:
- Fever;
- Headache;
- Muscle pain;
- Calf pain;
- Cough (in more serious cases);
- Yellow or orange skin (in more severe cases).
The bacteria’s incubation time is 1 to 30 days, but symptoms usually appear after the 4th or 7th day of contact.
What to do?
When left undiagnosed, leptospirosis can develop into a serious condition.
The person with symptoms should seek a Basic Health Unit or Emergency Care Unit, where treatment with appropriate antibiotics will begin.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the HAV virus. Contamination occurs through contact with contaminated sewage or feces.
It is a disease with lower risks. Serious complications are uncommon, but there may be an association with pre-existing diseases.
As a rule, it is a viral disease that passes within 7 days.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue;
- Malaise;
- Fever;
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea.
Symptoms usually appear 15 to 50 days after infection and last less than two months.
What to do?
Seek care at a UBS in case of any of the symptoms.
Diarrheal diseases
Condition caused by contact or ingestion of water or food contaminated by bacteria.
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea;
- Abdominal cramps;
- Abdominal pain;
- Fever;
- Blood or mucus in the stool;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting.
What to do?
Seek care at a UBS in case of any of the symptoms.
Accidents involving venomous or non-venomous animals
What to do?
- In case of suspicion or accidents with a venomous animal, contact the (Toxicological Information Center) CIT RS by phone 0800-721300 and, if possible, keep the animal.
- In case of bites from non-venomous animals, go to a UBS to get the anti-rabies vaccine (for rabies).
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious infection that affects the nerves and can lead to death. It is caused by contact of a wound with rusty materials.
What to do?
The tetanus vaccine must be boosted every ten years. In case of injuries with objects that may contain rust, seek a booster dose of the vaccine at the nearest UBS.
To find out more, access the complete material from the Ministry of Health on precautions in case of floods here.
Hospitals provide doctors to provide care in temporary shelters in Porto Alegre
Benvegnú Toti, director of Primary Care at Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, also warns about care for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease, as patients with these conditions cannot stop taking their medication. According to Toti, in the event of medication loss, it is important that patients or family members purchase the medication again urgently.
According to Toti, the Conceição Hospital Group is moving doctors from primary care to work voluntarily in the City Hall’s hostels. Professionals are paying attention to symptoms of the most common illnesses associated with floods and prescribing medications such as antibiotics, and can, if necessary, refer patients to SAMU.
“We organized our entire structure, the Hospitals and the Emergency Care Unit, thinking that we are a reference in high complexity and we understand that we need to be available to receive patients from other hospitals. When the patient is more serious, they usually come to Conceição and we will be ready to receive them”, said Toti
Tags: protect diseases Hepatitis Leptospirosis infections contact floodwaters
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