In the onset of summer 2015, the Department of Health (DOH) emphasized the importance of having “enjoyable and healthy summer,” as most people are busy doing usual activities like swimming and travelling.

In a statement, DOH Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin warned the public about six common summer diseases: sore eyes, sunburn, cough and colds, vomiting and diarrhea, and rabies.

As sore eyes leads to blindness when mistreated, the DOH advised the importance of proper hand washing and medical consultation before using eye drops.

The department also reminded that sunburn can be prevented by avoiding outdoor activities from 10 am to 2 pm, hiding in shaded and cool places, and using sunscreen products with at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30.

DOH also warned the public that swimming in dirty water or unmaintained public swimming pools may cause skin diseases. “Remember to take a bath before and after plunging into the pool and please do not urinate in the pool,” DOH said.

Moreover, they advised senior citizens and dog bite victims to get influenza and rabies vaccination respectively.

“Remember to keep yourself healthy and safe. Let us all have an enjoyable, disease-free… summer. May papel tayong pangalagaan ang ating kalusugan (We have a role to safeguard our health),” Garin ended.

Full copy of the DOH’s statement can be viewed at http://www.doh.gov.ph/top/node/14504.html.