If Filipinos weren’t aware that we’re well into the monsoon season, Typhoon Carina’s torrential downpours over the past few days have been a sobering reminder. The heavy rains have crippled transportation, turned our streets into rivers, and caused our actual rivers to overflow. Business districts and residential areas all look the same submerged in knee-deep flood, leaving many with no choice but to wade through the dirty water to get home. We all know contaminated flood water poses a huge health risk, but how concerned should we be?

Why should you be concerned about dirty flood water?

Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, animal waste, chemicals, and other harmful substances. It’s a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to various illnesses, including leptospirosis (more on that later), skin infections, and stomach problems. It can also contain debris like broken glass and sharp objects that can cut and puncture you. While we’re still waiting for local governments to improve their city’s infrastructure so citizens don’t have to be victims of the flood, here’s what you can do to protect your health.

Wash exposed skin immediately

After contact with flood water, use soap and clean, running water for at least 20 seconds. This should help remove most bacteria and contaminants. You can also carry a bottle of handwash like Human Nature’s Natural Hand Soap in your pouch for convenient cleaning anywhere. For extra measure, you can use a povidone-iodine cleanser to eliminate germs.

No soap?

If you don’t have access to soap, use sanitizer or alcohol all over your skin where it came into contact with flood water. This is why it’s important to carry a handy bottle of alcohol wherever you go.

Got open wounds?

Wading through flood water with an open wound, even small ones you don’t notice, is extremely dangerous. These waters contain bacteria that can cause serious infections. If you find yourself in this situation, clean your wound immediately with soap and water. Wrap your wound in a clean bandage and seek medical attention immediately. Even though your wound might look fine, a doctor can assess the wound, clean it thoroughly, and, if needed, prescribe necessary medication.

Prevent leptospirosis infection

Leptospirosis is a blood infection spread through the urine and body fluids of infected animals like rats. These can easily contaminate floodwater during typhoons and heavy rains. That means anyone wading through floodwater is at high risk of infection, especially those with open wounds and small cuts.

Symptoms of leptospirosis can take anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks to develop and can include fever, muscle pain, headaches, abdominal pain, and jaundice. It’s easily treated with antibiotics in its early stages, but prevention is better than cure.

If you must enter floodwater, take extra precautions. Wear waterproof boots and gloves, wash your skin thoroughly, and clean areas in your homes affected by the flood. If you experience symptoms of infection, don’t hesitate to seek a healthcare provider immediately.

Contaminated clothes and shoes

Disinfecting clothes contaminated with dirty flood water takes a little more effort. Wash them in hot water and detergent and make sure they dry properly. Waterproof shoes can easily be disinfected by washing them with hot, soapy water and letting them dry in the sun. Fabric shoes may be salvageable if you wash them thoroughly and let them dry completely. However, you might consider discarding heavily contaminated footwear to avoid spreading bacteria.

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