Hot and humid monsoon season... Three diseases to watch out for and prevention methods

Food poisoning

The rainy season, when both temperature and humidity are high, is a time when food poisoning bacteria thrive. It is also a period when the activity of mosquitoes, flies, and other insects that spread bacteria and viruses becomes more vigorous. This is why food poisoning cases surge every summer during the rainy season.

The most important thing to prevent food poisoning is to consume clean ingredients. Especially in summer, dairy products that spoil easily should be discarded if their taste or smell changes even slightly, for safety. Cooking utensils such as knives and cutting boards used for preparing ingredients should be washed thoroughly after use and completely dried before reuse.

▲ Leptospirosis

Many people go out in slippers or sandals during the summer. While they are recommended for comfort, it is also important to keep in mind that such footwear increases the risk of infection during the rainy season. If your feet come into direct contact with puddles contaminated with animal feces or other pollutants, you could contract infections such as leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease transmitted through the urine of livestock and wild animals, with primary symptoms including fever, headache, chills, and severe muscle pain. Caution is advised, especially for the elderly, as it can even lead to death.

Therefore, during the rainy season, it is best to wear waterproof shoes such as rain boots. If there are any wounds on your feet, you should avoid wearing slippers or sandals even more.

▲ Athlete's foot

The fungus that causes athlete's foot, Trichophyton, proliferates rapidly in humid environments. This is why athlete's foot commonly occurs in areas of the body with poor ventilation, such as between the toes, the groin, and the armpits.

The first principle of preventing athlete's foot is cleanliness. In particular, foot cleanliness and dryness are the most important. After returning home, be sure to wash your feet and thoroughly dry between the toes with a hairdryer or similar device. For people who sweat excessively on their feet, carrying extra socks and changing them frequently is also effective. If you frequently wear rain boots or boots due to heavy rain, you should use moisture removers or similar products to completely dry the inside of the shoes after wearing.