STELLA T
The Rukungiri District health educator, Alban Natukunda, has urged the public to stay hydrated, be vigilant, and maintain a healthy diet to protect themselves from illness caused by dust during this dry season.
He sounded this during an exclusive interview with our reporter today, following the increase in diseases common in the dry season.
Alban noted that the dry season comes with many diseases, such as bronchitis—dry air can irritate the bronchial tubes, leading to inflammation and infection; pneumonia—low humidity can make the lungs more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections; and asthma—dry air can trigger asthma attacks by irritating the airways.
He added that the dry season comes with skin issues like dry skin—low humidity can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation; eczema—dry air can exacerbate eczema symptoms such as dryness, itchiness, and inflammation; psoriasis—there are often increased cases of psoriasis in the dry season; and eye and ear problems.
He lamented that dry eyes—low humidity can reduce tear production, leading to dry, itchy, and irritated eyes; and ear infections—dry air can increase the risk of ear infections, especially in children. He stressed that other diseases associated with the dry season include stroke, dehydration, meningitis, typhoid fever, malaria, and dengue fever.
CUE IN …… ALIBAN ON DISEASES……RR
Alban said that to combat these issues, he advised the public to stay well-hydrated by regularly drinking water, make use of humidifiers to sustain optimal moisture content in the atmosphere, use moisturizers and sunscreen to shield their skin, and wear protective items such as masks and goggles when outside.
He added that people should safeguard themselves against mosquitoes by utilizing insecticide-treated bed nets, wearing suitable clothing, and using insect repellents. He also advised staying away from crowded areas to minimize the risk of bacterial and viral infections by avoiding large gatherings.
