The 6 Most Catched Diseases at Carnival

The arrival of Carnival is eagerly awaited throughout the year by some people. The expectation of jumping behind the electric trios or resting on the beaches or in the countryside is an apotheotic moment for many. But even on days off and revelry, you have to pay attention to your health. At this time of year, hundreds of people are affected by diseases such as respiratory viruses, conjunctivitis, hepatitis and mononucleosis – popularly known as the kissing disease.

The occurrence of these evils is the result of the combination between the usual agglomerations, the game of many kisses and the lack of rest and correct food during the party, which causes a decrease in the body’s immunity. Most of these diseases are spread by person-to-person contact. To help preserve your health during the days of revelry, doctors give tips to protect yourself from the most common carnival diseases. Check out:

Respiratory viruses: Generally, the revelers in the first days after the party are as traditional in the revelry as the street blocks.

In these cases, the symptoms are usually fever, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness and a feeling of weakness — says the president of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine (SBMT) in the Federal District, infectious disease specialist Dalcy Albuquerque Filho.

Conjunctivitis: According to ophthalmologists, during this period there are a greater number of cases of the disease, due to the increase in contact with several other people, many of whom were previously infected. In addition, there is the problem of high temperatures – ultraviolet rays lower immunity – and the lack of care with hand hygiene.

The most common conjunctivitis is caused by dirty hands brought to the eyes, which occurs with great frequency during revelry.

Hepatitis A: According to doctors, it is also another common disease transmitted by contact. During Carnival, one of the main forms of contagion is sharing utensils. If the person has the virus, the individual who drinks from the same glass, for example, gets it, say the infectologists.

Another way hepatitis A can be transmitted is by consuming contaminated food and drink. Albuquerque Filho warns that on the beaches it is common to have food contaminated by the lack of adequate sanitation. Therefore, it is important to know if the origin of what will be consumed is safe — he adds.

STDs: The feeling of freedom typical of carnival, associated with excessive alcohol consumption, also increases the chances of contracting hepatitis B and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS and human papillomavirus (HPV). Therefore, the use of condoms is essential. In the case of HPV, however, the condom does not guarantee 100% protection, as the lesions can be microscopic.

Often, the lesions are imperceptible or are located in places where the individual does not pay much attention, such as the perineum – explains the infectologists. In this case, the ideal is to reduce the number of partners.

Herpes and Mononucleosis: The emergence of diseases related to kissing, such as mononucleosis and herpes, is nothing new. Most of the time, there is no way to be sure that the person being kissed has the disease, but observing the small details is always good.

Sores and blisters (bubbles with fluid) are symptoms of some of them. It is important to point out that it is not always that symptoms appear, making it more difficult to identify problems. The way is to choose who you’re going to kiss and have common sense.

Tetanus: Albuquerque Filho also highlights the problem of tetanus, which is easily contagious through cuts: The bacterium is out there and no one is free from accidents. Therefore, everyone should have the vaccine calendar up to date.

The bacterium is found in the soil, in animal or human feces that are deposited in the sand, or in the earth in a resistant form (spores). Infection occurs by the entry of spores through any type of skin wound contaminated with sand or earth.