Flooding takes mental toll, as well as physical
People know floods are health hazards, but according to Dr. Bryan Negrini, the problems can go beyond physical effects.
Negrini, a physician with Nallathambi Medical Associates in Butler, said floods can cause major mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder — PTSD.
“All of these things are serious components that are not really talked about,” Negrini said.
Negrini noted that since people lose possessions and stress about the physical health hazards floods can cause, they can have night terrors.
“The main thing is the stress that this stuff causes,” he said. “The stress of having the potential of getting exposed to (diseases) is pretty scary.”
He also said that medications can be washed away, making it hard to treat existing conditions. A way to combat this, Negrini said, is to meet with crisis counselors and therapists, and take medication for anxiety and depression.
The physical health threats from flooding are more obvious. Floodwaters carry sharp objects, such as branches and needles, which can cut or bruise skin if someone is caught in a flood.
“You just get traumatic wounds from the stuff that's flooding,” Negrini said.
Flood residue also can cause bacterial infections, which can lead to colds or flu-like symptoms. A person doesn't always have to have skin contact with bacteria to get an infection; bacteria also can be inhaled.
More dangerous, he said, are viruses that can be carried by the flood.
“You get exposed to any virus that might be dormant in stagnant water,” Negrini said.
He suggested flood gear, such as heavy-duty boots and clothing, to safeguard against such diseases.
Jonah Thompson, the Pennsylvania field operations coordinator of Team Rubicon, which provides disaster relief, said the organization always wears safety gear when aiding communities after floods.
Standard apparel includes work boots, safety glasses, work gloves, masks and hard hats.
“Our crews are going to wear a range of personal protective equipment based on the type of work they're doing,” Thompson said.
Negrini recommends hepatitis B and tetanus shots for those providing disaster relief.
Thompson said shots are not required by Team Rubicon, but that everyone should have vaccinations, such as tetanus shots every five to 10 years.
Mold is another hazard, though Negrini said it can easily be removed.
“As the water desiccates and dries it up, (mold) doesn't grow and you can easily wipe up most of the mold,” he said.
Negrini said one way to prevent flooding is to remove potential blockage in any drainage system.
“Every flood should make everybody be alert and aware,” he said.
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