Diseases that flare up during the humid season and how to prevent them.

March 12, 2024 0 Comments

According to science, the ideal humidity level for human health is between 55-65%. High air humidity can have certain effects on daily life and especially on health.

1. Disease groups that flare up during the humid season.

1.1. Respiratory diseases

Humid weather creates an ideal environment for pathogens such as mold, bacteria, and viruses to thrive. The leading respiratory illnesses that often arise in this type of weather include: the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory tract infections.

In addition, humid weather can worsen the severity of some chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Those most vulnerable to respiratory illnesses during this humid weather are children, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.

1.2. Infectious Diseases

According to experts at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the humid weather characteristic of the spring-summer transition period creates very favorable conditions for the increase of viral infectious diseases.

From clinical experience, this time of year is always the peak season for viral diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella, seasonal influenza, etc.

1.3. Dermatological and Allergic Diseases

High humidity creates ideal conditions for bacteria to spread and thrive, causing unpleasant illnesses such as dermatitis and skin allergies. Damp clothing and bedding due to humid weather also provide ideal conditions for fungal skin infections to develop. Unhealthy lifestyles during humid weather, such as poor hygiene, can also lead to fungal infections in the genital area and skin in sweaty areas like between the toes and fingers.

Allergic reactions increase during humid seasons due to higher concentrations of mold, bacteria, and pollen in the air. The immune system recognizes these as foreign substances and produces antibodies against them, thereby releasing chemical mediators. Among these, histamine is one of the most common chemical mediators, causing allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, hives, itchy skin and eyes, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock.

1.4. Musculoskeletal disorders in older adults

During humid weather, elderly people or those with a history of bone and joint problems often experience joint pain or aches. This is because changes in weather alter atmospheric pressure. When atmospheric pressure is low, tissues in the body tend to expand, inadvertently putting pressure on the nerves that control pain sensation. Therefore, pain is often more easily felt on days with changing weather. In addition, cold and humid air causes joint fluid to thicken, leading to increased pressure within the joint and causing pain.

When humidity is high, slippery floors can cause accidents, falls, and slips, further exacerbating bone and joint pain, and even fractures. If a fracture occurs in a person with osteoporosis, it can delay bone healing, leading to prolonged immobilization and a series of secondary injuries: pneumonia, lung collapse, pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract and digestive infections, etc.

2. Ways to prevent illness during humid weather.

2.1. Maintaining a clean living environment

It is necessary to eliminate disease-causing bacteria by cleaning and ventilating indoor spaces, such as:

• Clean and sanitize your home regularly. Wash and dry clothes, bedding, pillows, and curtains periodically. With such frequent cleaning, you should use natural, chemical-free cleaning products to protect your family's health. Check out the Enzyco Natural Cleaning Kit HERE.
• Clean up, remove, or vacuum any items affected by mold. Place items prone to mold in a higher location, ensuring good ventilation around beds and wardrobes, as these are places where mold easily grows but is difficult to detect.
• You should use products that help absorb moisture, odors, and bacteria and mold, such as activated charcoal bags, to keep your space cleaner and fresher. Check out Hapaku coconut shell activated charcoal bags HERE .
• Avoid turning on fans or opening windows, as these can make the indoor environment even more humid.

2.2. Scientific diet and exercise regimen

Having a healthy diet and exercise routine will help boost your immune system to fight off pathogens during humid weather through the following methods:

• Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of nutrients, including green vegetables. Supplement your vitamin C intake with oranges, grapefruits, etc.
• Maintain a regular exercise routine, at least 30 minutes each day.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid staying up late, and get enough sleep. A tired body can make it easier for disease-causing bacteria to invade.
• Influenza vaccination is important for young children, and it's crucial to follow the schedule outlined in the expanded immunization program.
• Keep your nose clean and use saline nasal drops daily to prevent germs from remaining in your body.
• Keep your hands, feet, chest, and neck warm. Limit going outside at night or early in the morning when temperatures drop, and dress warmly when working outdoors or riding a motorbike.

2.3. Preventing the spread of disease

Cross-contamination from the surrounding environment is a risk factor for respiratory illnesses, so we need to take the following steps to protect our bodies:

• Avoid crowded places and refrain from contact with people who have symptoms such as a runny nose or cough.
• Wash your hands with hand soap when you get home, before eating, and after using the toilet. Choose a natural, gentle hand soap with moisturizing ingredients to minimize skin irritation from frequent handwashing. Check out Enzyco Natural Hand Soap HERE .

• Wear a mask when going to public places or places with a lot of dust and dirt.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs to the surrounding environment.

Basically, humid weather is a fairly common characteristic of our country's climate. For some people with chronic illnesses, it's important to follow their doctor's instructions, maintain their medication, and implement disease control measures to avoid the environment triggering their condition. Therefore, if you notice any unusual symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for advice.

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