Common illnesses at NYSC camps and how to protect yourself

By Layo Coker

The next batch of the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps programme is around the corner and this information may help to prepare you for what you're up against, if you have not 'served' yet.


The commonest ailments we treated people  are treated for during the NYSC camping exercise were malaria, common cold, typhoid fever, thrush, stomach flu and problems like muscle pain and bruises due to physical exertion.

Asthmatic people also need to  be careful of asthmatic attacks most likely because of the dusty environment and cold weather.

Here are some effective practical health tips that can help corps members stay healthy:

1. Eating healthy. You may need to decide which of the mammy market bukaterias you want to eat from as many of them are not necessarily clean but people have no choice most of the time. Balanced diet boosts immunity and helps to fend off most infections like malaria, typhoid fever and gastroenteritis.

2. Ensuring good hygiene. Many infections people suffer from are directly or indirectly related to poor hygiene. The simple practice of frequent hand washing can actually go a long way in preventing common infections. The use of public toilets should also be limited at NYSC camps. Always wash up properly after using restrooms and keep the place clean for the next person.

3. Keeping a clean environment. Mosquitoes are the only cause of malaria. If people keep their environment clean i.e no overgrown bushes or filthy clogged gutters, mosquitoes will find it difficult, if not impossible to breed and the burden of malaria will be much less.
Those who are more prone to severe malaria like sickle cell individuals or pregnant women should take prophylactic drugs regularly and sleep in insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

4. Asthmatic persons need to identify and avoid any factors that trigger attacks such as dust, cold or stress. Carry your inhalers for potentially life-saving use in the event of sudden attacks before arriving at a hospital.

5. Avoid taking too much pain relievers. The exercises like endurance trek can be a bit daunting and many people may feel the need to pop pain killers whenever they feel aches and pains. Too much of aspirin can wear down the lining of the stomach and even lead to ulcer.

6. Many brands of water will be at the camp; both good and bad. That is one way through which  typhoid fever spreads into the body. Be careful which water you drink. If you can stick to the brand you know, please do.