The festive season is always a time for huge gatherings; it’s when some people find time off their busy schedule to visit and travel. However, in the midst of that enjoyment, most become susceptible to health hazards. But being aware of those risky illnesses can help one take caution as this season brings with it a number of health challenges.

Jane Mukahigiro, a nurse at Rwanda Military Hospital, says during this season people ought to be cautious of their health and watch out for illnesses that could endanger their lives.

"Holiday seasons are delicate; with lots of people coming together, they become prone to a number of infections that spread easily. For instance, hepatitis poses serious danger to one’s health, yet spreads easily,” Mukahigiro says.

Hepatitis B can be spread through saliva and semen, whereas Hepatitis C can be spread through contact with an infected person’s blood.

So, avoiding situations, such as casual sex, where one gets exposed to such risk factors is highly advised, she says.

Cancer is also another disease that people should watch out for in this period. Cancer does not have a particular cause, but there are factors that increase one’s chances of getting it. A number of lifestyle choices are known to increase one’s susceptibility to cancer, for example, smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and obesity, among other factors.

Stress and depression are the other conditions that affect people during the festive holiday. The dizzying range of demands, the endless shopping, and the need for making those moments memorable and perfect can get to one’s health.

Depression does not only bring about brain disorders, but can also compromise one’s immune system, making it hard for the body to fight infections.

Health risks for children

Mukahigiro points out that children too are prone to certain illnesses during this season.

Diseases such as tetanus can be acquired by children out there playing on the field and they are as dangerous also.

"Now that children are in holidays, they are bound to experience certain incidents such as falls or even cuts while playing, which could be caused by dangerous rusty objects and this can definitely result into tetanus if not well managed,” she says.

Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria called clostridium tetani, which can get into the body through broken skin, usually through injuries from contaminated objects. Wounds contaminated with dirt or those that are caused by objects such as nails or a rusty metal can cause tetanus.

Dr Rachna Pande, a specialist in internal medicine in Ruhengeri Hospital, says during holidays, children are prone to digestive disorders like dyspepsia and constipation, especially if their eating and sleeping pattern is irregular.

She says that eating junk food and lazing around with no activity to handle can make children obese. Junk food can also aggravate digestive problems hence depriving the children essential nutrients.

"Children sometimes tend to eat out of home, for instance with friends, where, if food hygiene is not well maintained, they get to be at risk of getting infections of the intestines like typhoid and shigellosis, among others,” Dr Pande says.

Gastro-intestinal problems can also affect health; they can be caused by eating contaminated food or water which can lead to vomiting or even cases of a running stomach. This can be prevented by evading the consumption of raw foods such as salad and unwashed fruits.

"For the teens, excessive drinking when they go out with friends exposes them to risks like addiction and health hazards like acute gastritis that causes nausea and vomiting,” she adds.

Sometimes in the heat of excitement, teenagers tend to indulge in casual sex and thus can contract sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and even the deadly HIV.

Dr Pande, therefore, advises that parents should try to keep their children engaged in creative work and counsel them about the importance of good health. Parents should explain to their children the health hazards of junk food, poor food hygiene, alcohol and unprotected sex, she adds.

"The mother should ensure that children eat healthy nutritious food, including fresh fruits, green vegetables, fish and whole grain. They should also be encouraged to play group games and be involved in regular physical activity,” Dr Pande says.

Parents’ advice

Gloria Kanyange, a mother of a two-year old daughter, says last Christmas her child almost lost her life after boiling water poured on her. She says the incident arose as a result of ‘losing track of the world around her’ due to the hectic festive season.

"We had a lot of visitors who had come in to have Christmas with us and I was so busy I left my child in the care of a maid. Hot water from a boiling kettle splashed all over her legs and I thought I had lost my baby, it was horrible,” Kanyange says.

Her baby later recovered but it was a tough experience for her that she says she wouldn’t wish for any mother to go through. "That’s why I advise parents to keep a keen eye on their little ones during such periods.”

Kevin Atukunda, a mother of four, says taking care of children, especially those under eight years of age, is very complicated.

"With the festive season, responsibilities tend to double and hence keeping an eye on all children might be tough. However, parents should endeavour to pay much attention because the lives of our children always come first,” she says, adding that parents should provide safe playing zones where their little ones can play freely.