preparation for a less friendly season

By: dr.Titik Kuntari, MPH  

The official information from the government that we can see and read through various media is that it is predicted that in January-February, rainfall on the island of Java will be quite high. And we have to admit that from the several times it rained, the water discharge that fell was quite high with the duration of the rain not being short. Experts say that among the characteristics (types) of rain during the transition period, it usually lasts quite heavily with a duration of about 1 hour. Meanwhile, if the rain lasts long enough, then it shows that the season has indeed entered the rainy season phase.

Rain is still a very interesting natural phenomenon. On the one hand, his arrival is really awaited, especially for farmers. However, when it starts to rain... there are not a few problems that can then be caused. If only nature was cared for properly (without illegal logging, random disposal of factory residues, air pollution, household waste, etc.) then of course rain would not be a problem. After all, every year the amount of rainfall is always the same and does not experience excessive fluctuations. It means…? We have made various fundamental mistakes in managing our nature. This can be proven by the occurrence of floods in new areas that were previously not included in the flood alert area group such as the annual cycle in Jakarta.

 

Based on the probability theory, with the withdrawal of the dry season yesterday, it is very likely that the rainy season will reverse its cycle. Therefore, it is better for us to prepare our environment and family as well as possible to meet various possibilities that could occur. Particularly with regard to anticipation of the possibility of various diseases, infectious or not, which usually accompany the arrival of the rainy season. Diseases that commonly appear in the rainy season are usually: Flu (influenza), Diarrhea (gastro enteritis), Chikungunya, Typhoid (typhoid), and Dengue Fever (DHF). This includes classic diseases that are familiar enough to come in the rainy season. However, that does not mean we should underestimate these diseases. We must always be vigilant. Along with the poor environmental management system, it is likely that new (known) diseases such as bird flu can become a serious threat. For information only, that in America alone bird flu is included in a group of diseases that is quite feared because it has a great chance to become endemic. The American government then regulated the poultry farming system in such a tight manner, that the opportunities for interaction between poultry and humans were very small or minimal. Let's compare it with the environment around us, where chickens, ducks, ducks and geese can roam freely in and out of people's houses and leave their droppings on the terraces of the house. This human-bird interaction will become more dangerous as the rainy season approaches. Storms and streams of rain can spread these viruses very quickly.

 

What can we do, other than clean up around the places that are likely to become breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. There are several things that we are most likely to do, including environmental readiness (cleanliness) and physical readiness of family members. The drains should be re-checked. If possible, wells should be drained, especially for houses with poor sanitation plans. For example, the distance between the well and the septic-tank is less than 10 meters so that coli bacteria can move through the absorption system. Or for a house with a low contour, when it rains it will flood so that the liquid from the septic-tank can move anywhere. Cleaning activities must also be increased by maintaining the cleanliness of the air circulation system, protecting the vents so that animals that emerge after rain such as moths do not enter. And don't forget to always be diligent in cleaning traces of poultry droppings with disinfectants, if the birds run out of excretion. Of course this appeal will be more effective if the poultry breeders are then aware of all these dangers by keeping their birds in cages. Because it's a pity for the neighbors who don't have poultry and have to constantly clean up poultry manure. But only the spirit of kinship and very high tolerance can make us realize it all. Unfortunately lately, that enthusiasm has begun to fade, replaced by egoism.

 

If indeed the environmental conditions are good enough and healthy, then the person must be prepared as well as possible. Sports such as aerobics should be increased regularly. And this can be done together with all other family members in the form of games that all family members can participate in. The goal is pro-fun and healthy (happy/entertainment and healthy). Nutrition and supplements must be increased, such as consumption of milk and vitamins. These two things we really need to increase our resistance and immunity against disease. And never feel strong against illness. For example, if so far we rarely get diarrhea even though we eat and drink carelessly, now this pattern must be changed because the body's resistance to disease will continue to decrease with age. Opened food and consuming it without washing your hands is one of the potential conditions for diarrhea to appear. Next, early detection of disease also needs to be done, such as immediately going to the nearest health center if the body heat starts to get high, symptoms of colds, diarrhea or symptoms of dengue fever appear. Especially for cases of dengue fever under certain conditions a blood transfusion is also needed, so a blood type map in the family must be known, including friends/relatives who can be asked for help if the condition is urgent, especially for family members whose blood type is difficult to get a donor. If we have done all the preparations, then pray a lot, may Allah SWT always protect us from various diseases that arise. Wallahu A'lamu Bishawwab