Staying Healthy in Rainy Season
By Bae Keun-min
Staff Reporter
The onset of the monsoon season last weekend is providing some relief from the scorching summer weather.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), this year's rainy season will last until the end of July. ``It is forecast that this year's rainy season (June 21-July 30) will be normal in duration,'' KMA senior forecaster Kim Seung-bai told The Korea Times.
South Korea sees an estimated annual precipitation of 1,400 mm, 40 percent of which falls during the monsoon season.
``In recent years, the localized torrential downpours were concentrated in short periods during this season, which is worrisome,'' Kim said. ``If there is not enough rain during this season, we could suffer water shortages in the winter and the following spring.''
However, seasonal weather conditions may give people a hard time in maintaining their health; a somewhat drastic difference in temperatures on a sunny day from a rainy one can make the immune system vulnerable.
The high humidity may weaken the body's ability to emit heat and balance its temperature.
Moreover, high humidity that continues over long periods of time during a warm season will allow a variety of bacteria to flourish and may cause sickness.
Health Alert
There are some diseases that you should pay special attention to. When there is a lot of water around but a lack of sunlight, it is highly possible for water- or food-mediated diseases to break out, while diverse dermatoses, asthma or arthritis can relapse.
At this time of year, there is a rise in the number of people who have stomach troubles such as dysentery and cholera, so they must frequent the toilet, said Kee Sae-yoon, a medical doctor in infectious diseases at St. Mary's Hospital in Yeoido.
``Patients who have trouble with their digestive system such as with diarrhea, tend to account for more (of our patients) at this time of year than other seasons, although there is no significant difference in the total number of incoming patients,'' Kee said.
``In the summer, people drink a lot of beverages. But there are some basic guidelines to avoid troubles,'' Kee said. ``You need to check the expiration date of the drinks and make sure that the beverage is well sealed. Keep away from raw food such as raw fish, and cook food well. Also, drink boiled water.''
Most types of food poisoning can be prevented if some basic rules are followed. People who have diarrhea or who have cuts on their hands must not cook. Immediately dispose of food emitting unusual smell or food that is moldy. Do not keep beef and milk in the refrigerator over 14 days and five days, respectively.
Skin diseases such as athletes' foot and itches in the genital area can also relapse due to the wet weather, Kee said. ``Wash feet well and dry them thoroughly,'' she said.
Those diseases are a kind of fungi, therefore it is important to eliminate conditions that fungus can flourish in. Shoes must not be worn for a long time. If there is an athletes' foot patient at home, avoid sharing socks, shoes and towels.
Controlling fungi at home is also a way to staying healthy. It is recommended to pay more attention to ventilation than air-conditioning during the rainy season. Excessive cooling can also make people sick, resulting in air-conditioningitis.
In addition, as people may stay indoors for longer periods of time due to bad weather, it is possible to get depressed. The discomfort index, based on temperature and humidity, tends to be high during this season. Appropriate physical activities, getting out and positive thinking are suggested for positive mental health.
Safety Alert
Besides diseases, rain may cause deadly accidents, including electric shocks, traffic accidents and floods.
As it is forecast there will be sudden localized torrential rainfalls, the National 119 Rescue Services has been running an emergency system since last week.
``If you are isolated due to a heavy downpour, call 119 and if possible, move to higher ground for help,'' said Kim Young-seok, Chief Commander of the national rescue authority.
Last year, the rescue service deployed relief squads and fire helicopters to frequent disaster areas in advance throughout the summer, therefore saving some 1,150 vacationers and residents only in Gangwon Province from floods and typhoons, Kim said.
Although your area may usually be safe from floods, rain can create hazards anywhere, especially on the road.
The Road Traffic Safety Authority said that from 2000 to 2004, traffic accidents during the months of July and August killed an average 4 persons per 100 cases on rainy days, some 33 percent higher than on sunny days.
The number of causalities stood at 1.79 persons per accident on rainy days, higher than 1.59 persons on sunny days.
The authority recommends to avoid driving, especially long distances, when it is raining heavily, since hydroplaning makes driving on wet roads much more dangerous than on snowy roads.
To help prevent accidents, the authority also recommends increasing tire pressure (by less than 10 percent), which affects the way your car handles; turn on your headlights during the daytime; and check the brake system.
If your car gets flooded, open the car hood, disconnect the electricity and dry the car as soon as possible. But do not turn on the engine as water may infiltrate the engine and transmission, causing serious damage.
Don't forget to call your insurance company and seek a licensed garage for professional help. Without the proper management, it is highly possible your car could end up on the scrap heap.
Electric leakages, stimulated by downpours, are also another danger to watch inside and outside the home. The National Emergency Management Agency said there were an annual average of 790 casualties from electric shocks during 2001-2005, and 194 persons per year, or 24.6 percent, met the accident between June and July. Twenty nine out of the 194 were dead.
The accidents mostly happened at home (23 percent), at factories (26 percent) and in and around construction sites (12 percent). Around traffic lights and road lamps, passersby need to be vigilant for possible power leakages.
The safety authorities have issued a special alert regarding frequent accidents during the season and are campaigning for passing the season safely.