Stay safe in the rain: doctors
Be prepared:Residents must prevent stagnation of water, avoid walking barefoot and unhygienic food.B. Jothi Ramalingam
Coastal districts on high alert; drinking water to be chlorinated
With the temperature having dipped compared to last week and parts of the city water-logged, doctors are advising residents, especially senior citizens, to take precautions to ensure their health and well-being.
“Cases of diarrhoea, jaundice, typhoid and malaria are being reported, along with dengue,” said Dr. Janani Sankar, senior consultant paediatrician, Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital. She said residents must prevent stagnation of water, not walk barefoot, avoid unhealthy and unhygienic food, and must wash their feet if they have been out in the rain. “Leptospirosis can also affect people this season,” she said.
Senior geriatrician V.S. Natarajan said the elderly were prone to develop all sorts of infections, and could also experience muscle and joint stiffness, along with urinary tract infections and constipation. He advocated avoiding exposure to the elements, drinking plenty of liquids, a high-fibre diet, and stressed the importance of some form of exercise daily. “I also advise taking the flu vaccine, especially for those with chest infections,” he said, adding that all prescribed medications must be taken regularly.
“Although not common, lightning-related burns can occur,” said Nirmala Ponnamabalam, head of the burns unit at the Government Kilpauk Hospital. She said residents must not stand under trees and should rather try to take shelter inside a building. Also, she advised residents to avoid standing near iron rods or lamps.
Ambulances kept ready
The State-run 108 emergency response system too is geared up for the monsoon, a senior official said. Ambulances are equipped with wireless communication and a power back-up is available for the call centre, he said, adding that all coastal districts had been put on high alert.
The health helpline, 104, too is prepared to provide advice on all seasonal ailments, including skin rashes and reptile bites.
State Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar and Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan visited the centre on Tuesday. The Minister said drinking water distribution points would be checked for adequate chlorination.
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