Summer time in Mauritius brings beautiful sunshine interspersed with welcome cooling showers of heavy rain. This year we appear to be having an excess of each which seems to be a contributory factor to some of the heath problems I have been seeing recently. The hot humid weather provides ideal conditions for germs that cause diseases to multiply. The sun is very strong and can burn unprotected skin quickly especially near or on the sea even on a cloudy day. The heat combined with the humidity makes us loose more water through perspiration so we are at more risk of dehydration especially after sports and swimming.

Wearing your sports hat protects your head and eyes from the glare of the sun and may reduce the number of headaches- That is why it is compulsory for sports so please remember to wear it!

Wear sunscreen outdoors and renew it frequently when you have been in water or sweating, even on cloudy days

Drink plenty of water through the day to prevent headaches and muscle cramps after sports due to dehydration. 2 – 3 litres may be necessary when you are particularly active and especially after swimming because you do not notice you are sweating in water.

Food that is out of the fridge for more than an hour can start to go off and potentially give you upset tummies or even food poisoning so take care with your packed lunches and picnics. Use cool packs and keep your food covered from flies and out of the sun.

Washing your hands after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose and when you return home helps to prevent spread of many infectious diseases. Remember to wash all fingers and your thumb, between your fingers, your palms, wrists and the back of your hands. Hand sanitizer is available from the school shop or pharmacies for times when soap and water are not available. The catch it, bin it, kill it campaign for H1N1 flu is also relevant for coughs, sore throats and the common cold which are all spread by viruses or bacteria in droplets of saliva and hand washing is one way of preventing stomach upsets.  

Philippa Desveaux
School Nurse