00:00This past week, there has been heavy flooding in Baguio, Carina, and Habagat.
00:06Until now, the flood still continues in some places.
00:10Most of us have not been able to avoid flooding.
00:15So the next thing we should be aware of is the risk of leptospirosis.
00:20We always hear that there is flood, but what is that?
00:24This morning, the doctor is in here at UH Clinic to talk about that.
00:28We have here with us Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo of the Department of Health.
00:34Good morning!
00:35Good morning!
00:36Those of you who like to swim in the flood, Doc is mad at you.
00:40Doc is mad at those who chose to swim, but there is no choice.
00:46Did Doc understand you?
00:47Yes.
00:48We understand you.
00:49Yes, but don't swim.
00:51Doc, when there is flood, we often hear about leptospirosis.
00:56Can you explain what this disease is and how dangerous it is?
01:00Yes, Ivan and Ate Susan.
01:02Leptospirosis comes from microbes, leptospira, that are in the intestines of fish and other animals.
01:08But most of the time, the fish is in the trash.
01:12When there is flood, it's like, sorry to those who eat, it's like you mashed the surroundings.
01:17Yes, that's true.
01:18So when there is flood, all the intestines are collected there.
01:21When you are there, whether it's intentional or not, and you still have a wound,
01:26the microbes will enter your body.
01:30Doc, aside from the wounds, there are other entry points for microbes.
01:34Yes, it can be in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
01:38That's why those who swim, even if they don't have a wound,
01:41as you can see, it's like, as soon as I get wet, the leptospirosis enters.
01:44Yes, it's like, eh, eh, eh, eh.
01:47See?
01:49What are the symptoms of leptospirosis, Doc?
01:51By this time, can people feel it?
01:54Yes, the incubation period of leptospirosis is about 1 to 2 weeks.
01:58Sometimes, it can last up to a month.
02:00Usually, there are headaches, headaches, and itchiness.
02:04There is pain in the back of the shins, here in the back of the eye, in that part.
02:10Then, we also have redness in the eyes.
02:13Our skin changes color.
02:15It becomes chalky, it becomes white.
02:17Itchiness can turn into itchiness, but those are the advanced stages.
02:21Here, Doc, we experienced flooding Wednesday last week.
02:24That's what happened.
02:25Yes.
02:26So, if you were hit by a flood today or tomorrow, don't let it go.
02:30Don't say, maybe it's just a flood, maybe it's just a scratch.
02:33Don't do that.
02:34That's true.
02:35If we were hit by a flood one week ago and then it rained,
02:39we call it a high index of suspicion.
02:41It's like you're a suspect that you might have leptospirosis.
02:44So, please consult us so that we can be sure.
02:46If it's not leptospirosis, then it's good.
02:48It's good.
02:49It's different.
02:50It can also be treated.
02:51But it's better to be sure.
02:53What they said, Doc, is that you shouldn't get hit by a flood if you have an open wound.
02:57But they also said that even if you don't have a wound, it can get into your eyes, nose, and mouth.
03:03Isn't it in our pores?
03:05Well, it's not in our pores.
03:07But sometimes, there are so-called microabrasions.
03:10So, it means that you can't see the wound, but there's a small scratch.
03:14It can still get in there because it's a microbe.
03:16Oh, no.
03:18How do you treat leptospirosis, Doc?
03:20They said that you can buy it, but you need to have a prescription, right?
03:24Yes, you need a prescription.
03:26You can't just get it from the pharmacy.
03:29You need a prescription.
03:31If you have a prescription, there are different risks.
03:34The high risk…
03:35So, the dosage is different?
03:36It's different.
03:37If you're at high risk, it means that you get hit often.
03:40Maybe your area isn't dry yet.
03:42There are places like that right now.
03:44Or if you're covered by the media, there's a protocol for that.
03:48It's different from the medium risk where you only get hit once and you have a wound.
03:52It's also different from the low risk where you don't have a wound and you only get hit once.
03:56Doc, they also talked about preventives.
03:59For example, if you want to be extra careful, can you drink before you get hit?
04:05I know that I have no choice, so I'll drink first.
04:07Yes.
04:08That's where our doctor is important.
04:10Based on the evaluation, the doctor saw that field reporters really get hit.
04:16So, if the doctor saw that, and how is your body,
04:19you're not pregnant.
04:20By the way, doxycycline is prohibited for pregnant women.
04:23That's why it's really important to consult because there are things like that.
04:26You can give it, but it will depend on the evaluation of the doctor.
04:30The doctor will determine if you're going to give it or not.
04:32Let's clarify this.
04:33So, for those of us who will get hit, it's okay, but ask the doctor first.
04:39Yes.
04:40But after you get hit, can you drink right away?
04:43After, you still need to be evaluated because there are three risk levels.
04:48The dosing is also different.
04:50For example, we know that it's high risk.
04:52Someone else will give you a prescription.
04:54Because you might overdose, right?
04:57Correct.
04:58Actually, Ate Susan, it's not the overdose that's more scary here.
05:01What we're more afraid of is antimicrobial resistance.
05:04What do you mean?
05:05Just like what's happening in the Olympics right now.
05:07The microbial…
05:08They're fighting.
05:09Yes, they're fighting.
05:10They're training.
05:11Because if you give them an antibiotic with the wrong dose…
05:14They're resisting.
05:15They're resisting.
05:16They're getting stronger.
05:17So, there's nothing they can't swallow.
05:19Exactly.
05:20So, don't self-medicate.
05:22Doc, we have questions for our online listeners.
05:26This is a question from F.J. Lavena, Dacoron Valdez, Moralia.
05:33If there's leftover food that was eaten by a lizard,
05:36can it also cause leptospirosis because of this?
05:39Can it, Doc?
05:40Yes, it can.
05:41Because lizards don't wash their feet, right?
05:44If you see a lizard, they wash their feet before they step on it.
05:48They wash their feet?
05:49Did you wash your feet?
05:51Did you wash your paws?
05:52Lizards are kind.
05:53They also sing happy birthday.
05:55Who's the kind lizard?
05:57Is it Ratatouille?
05:58Ratatouille.
05:59Lizards are not like that.
06:01So, if that happens,
06:02their teeth, because they stick to their teeth,
06:05when they eat, they get leptospirosis.
06:07I have a question, Doc.
06:09For example,
06:10in the next question,
06:11for example,
06:13drinks that are in a can,
06:15sometimes, you drink it straight, right?
06:17Yes.
06:18Do you have to wash it first?
06:20Yes.
06:21It's a good practice.
06:22If we're in a can,
06:25everything that goes into our mouth,
06:27we have to wash and wipe it first
06:28because you don't know if it was stepped on by a lizard.
06:31Lizards don't wash their feet, right?
06:33Ratatouille.
06:34Wow, Ratatouille.
06:35I have a question for Elvis John Valderrama.
06:37Is it okay to use soap to clean your feet against leptospirosis?
06:43For example, after exposure,
06:44you use soap.
06:45That's right.
06:46Actually, it's a first aid, right?
06:47Because when we wash our feet,
06:49the amount of leptospirin that's in our feet is reduced.
06:52But the consultation is still important
06:54because even if you reduce it,
06:56there might still be some that got left behind.
06:58What's that?
06:59This is protection, Doc.
07:00Is it okay?
07:01Yes.
07:02If it can't be avoided,
07:03if you get into a flood,
07:04protect yourself.
07:05You have this.
07:06This is called waders.
07:08Waders, yes.
07:09And the boots,
07:10the important thing is that it's high.
07:11That's right.
07:12Because your boots,
07:13if it's here,
07:14they put water inside.
07:15Maybe you're fashionable,
07:16but they put water inside.
07:17It's not like that.
07:18I can see that.
07:19You're wearing boots.
07:20It's fashion.
07:21In the news,
07:22before we go,
07:23we really wear this.
07:24Yes.
07:25When I wear that,
07:26it's up to my head.
07:28At least,
07:29even if it's a flood,
07:30it's protected, right?
07:31Let's see.
07:32Look.
07:33I told you,
07:34it's up to here.
07:37At least,
07:38no matter how deep it is,
07:39you're okay.
07:40It's protected.
07:41Mark safe, Susan.
07:42Mark safe.
07:43It's safe.
07:44Doc Albert,
07:45thank you very much.
07:46Thank you.
07:47Be careful, everyone.
07:48During a flood,
07:49you need to be twice as careful
07:51so that you can take care of yourself.
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