Safe Holidays in Rainy Season, Doctors Share Tips to Maintain Family Health

JAKARTA - School holidays are often a moment that families use to travel together. However, in the midst of the rainy season, vacation plans require extra preparation, especially related to the health conditions of all family members.

Weather changes, busy activities, and environmental differences can affect the body's resistance, especially for children and the elderly who go on vacation.

Internal Medicine Specialist at RSPAD Gatot Soebroto, Dr. Soroy Lardo, Sp.PD, KPTI, emphasized the importance of evaluating the health condition of each family member before deciding to travel, especially during the rainy season.

"If you invite parents, you need to evaluate the condition of health stability, including if there are comorbidities such as diabetes, heart or stroke treatment," Soroy told ANTARA in Jakarta, Monday.

He explained that a person's health condition is greatly influenced by weather changes. This factor is directly related to the epidemiological cycle of the disease, ranging from the spread of germs, body resistance, to the influence of the surrounding environment.

If health conditions are not monitored properly, various diseases that often appear during the rainy season, such as cough, cold, fever, diarrhea, and infections due to viruses and bacteria, have the potential to disrupt comfort during the holidays.

On the other hand, if the health of all family members is confirmed to be in good condition, Soroy suggests bringing basic medical supplies. Medicines such as flu medicine, diarrhea medicine, and vitamin supplements can be prepared as a precautionary measure.

For families traveling with the elderly, special attention should be given to the availability of routine medications according to the medical conditions they have, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

"Make sure that the hemodynamic conditions (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiratory function) are stable before departure. If necessary, blood pressure and sugar testing devices, including oxygen assistance (oxycan) sold at pharmacies, can be brought," said Soroy.

In addition, the elderly are advised to have received influenza or pneumonia vaccination before going on vacation, as well as to maintain adequate rest time, which is around seven to nine hours each day.

Efforts to maintain health during the holidays can also be carried out by ensuring a balanced nutritional intake, meeting the body's fluid needs of around two to 2.5 liters of water per day, and regularly consuming fresh fruit.

Equally important, clean living behavior must continue to be applied during travel, such as washing hands for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer before and after eating, wearing masks when the body is less fit, and carrying anti-mosquito lotion to prevent insect bites.