Learn how to avoid illnesses and stomach aches during Carnival so as not to cut short the revelry

While revelers prepare the last costume details for another intense Carnival after the end of pandemic restrictions, it is necessary to take some health precautions. Common and serious illnesses, such as mononucleosis or keratitis, and situations such as hangovers and anaphylaxis can shorten the revelry.

Those who are going to follow the blocks for hours on end need to be aware of hydration and calorie replacement so as not to completely spoil themselves. But it’s also not worth eating just one coxinha after six hours in the sun.

Also, doctors from different areas heard by the report say that electronic cigarettes are highly toxic and should preferably be avoided. In addition, care must be taken with protection before, during or after sex.

See the main tips for completing the Carnival journey safely.

HOW TO PREPARE

The ideal is to have a balanced meal before going out, be it breakfast or lunch, with carbohydrates and proteins. “Eating fruit, yogurt, bread, egg, you can make that ‘avocado toast’, which is in fashion, because avocado has good fat”, says Vanessa Prado, member of the Brazilian Society of Digestive System Surgery. At lunch, she recommends “the good old Brazilian dish, with rice, beans, meat and vegetables”.

When preparing the costume, it’s good to keep an eye out for possible reactions such as redness and itching in places with makeup and cosmetics application. Attention: the glue used for eyelash extensions and glitter can cause irritation and even inflammation of the cornea, called keratitis.

If symptoms such as itching, redness and irritation persist after washing the eyes with sterile saline solution, it is necessary to seek medical attention, says ophthalmologist Myrna Serapião, director of Vision One, who warns of care with contact lenses. “You cannot use expired lenses, sleep with the lens or put it on after makeup”, which can cause infections.

Also, beware of ointments to fix hairstyles. At the end of January this year, more than 80 of these products were targeted by Anvisa, which suspended part of them and recalled or banned others.

It is also worth putting a small bottle of gel alcohol in your fanny pack or money box, which will be valuable in a crowd.

FOLLOWING THE BLOCKS (OR AVOIDING THEM)

Experts point out that the Covid pandemic is not over and that agglomerations are environments that facilitate the contagion of this and other viral diseases, such as the flu.

Anyone traveling inland should be careful with yellow fever. According to the Government of São Paulo, cities in Minas Gerais and Paraná that border the state have alerts for the disease. Thus, immunization for those who are going to travel is essential, and is offered at all health posts in the state.

I WANT MORE IS TO KISS ON THE MOUTH

Mononucleosis is one of the most common diseases at Carnival for those who kiss on the mouth, and transmission is facilitated because symptoms can appear up to three days after contamination. The most common symptoms resemble those of the flu.

Herpes, syphilis and thrush, nickname for oral candidiasis, are also transmitted by kissing.

José Valdez Ramalho Madruga, infectologist and coordinator of the AIDS Committee of the SBI (Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia), also points out that STIs (sexually transmitted infections) represent a higher risk at the time of Carnival.

“We must remember because at that time people drink, use drugs and forget to use condoms.” The doctor points out that there are several means of protection available.

The condom is the main one, followed by medication, in the case of HIV, with the methods of Prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) – the treatment lasts 28 days and is done after risky sexual activity occurred at most 72 hours ago.

‘ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE IS CRAP’

“You can’t say ‘electronic cigarettes are legal, you just can’t change their potency and replace them with cannabinoids’. All of them are rubbish”, says Gustavo Prado, a pulmonologist at the Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz.

He refers to modifications made by manufacturers or by the users themselves to enhance the smoke, which releases more toxic and carcinogenic compounds. Another problem is combining it with marijuana derivatives, in addition to nicotine in higher concentrations.

Those who use the cannabinoid version are more susceptible to serious lung damage, such as the damage induced by vaping, as the compound is more soluble in oils, such as the vitamin E acetate used in vaping.

HYDRATED WINS

Cashew friend, beer, caipirinha and all kinds of drinks are offered in droves at Carnival. For physician Vanessa Prado, the formula that helps keep the body hydrated is a glass of water with each can of drink. Again, beware of preparing drinks in open glasses. It is best to consume what comes in sealed cans or bottles.

Alcohol abuse, combined or not with other drugs, can spoil the party and lead to more serious conditions such as pancreatitis or alcoholic hepatitis.

And it must be remembered that there is no amount of alcohol that does not affect health.

Ingestion can also pose problems for those predisposed to severe allergic reactions, according to physician Marcello Bossois, coordinator of Brasil Sem Alergia. “For this patient, the higher the amount, the greater the chance of a reaction.”

A common example is the allergy-causing protein in shrimp, tropomyosin, which is also present in dust mites, which are everywhere. Even in low concentrations, the protein can be a risk for a person with a history of allergies, as alcohol can potentiate a response that can lead to a severe anaphylactic reaction.

The picture is characterized by reactions in at least two systems at the same time, such as urticaria (redness in the skin in high relief and that itches) accompanied by cough or swelling in the lips.

BEWARE OF THE ‘ROT’

If you need to eat during the block, choose sealed snacks or those that allow you to know the origin. Also, avoid, if you can, very fatty foods, such as pizza and hamburgers (the infamous “rotten”), which ferment more in the stomach, causing pain and reflux.

Gastroenterocolitis, which is an inflammation caused by bacteria and food poisoning, is the most common problem at Carnival time. Contamination can be because of contaminated food and dirty hands.

To reduce the risks, it is worth using that alcohol gel suggested in the preparation stage for the revelry. To maintain energy during the course of the blocks, a tip is the fast-absorbing carbohydrate sachets, which do not replace a meal.

At the end of the journey, it is worth maintaining hydration with water and juices, in addition to having a complete meal.