Holy Week flagellants reminded on dangers of infection
By Beverly T. Natividad
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:18:00 03/18/2008
Filed Under: Diseases, Health
MANILA, Philippines -- Warning: Flagellation can lead to infection.
The Department of Health (DoH) warned on Tuesday penitents who were planning to whip themselves as part of Lenten rites that deep-cut wounds could be a source of infection.
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said in a statement that while they respected the Lenten tradition of flagellation which some Filipinos considered a form of "atonement for sins," they would like to advise penitents to guard against infections from wounds like tetanus.
“This advice is important to make sure no one will land in the hospital due to tetanus or other infections,” Duque said.
He explained that deep-cut wounds resulting from whipping could be exposed to heat, dust and all sorts of bacteria.
Tetanus, for one, could enter the body through many kinds of wounds -- from a pinprick to a deep wound.
Duque said tetanus symptoms like lockjaw, difficulty in swallowing, stiffness of muscles and severe spasms of the body would manifest within two to 14 days after infection.
The DoH advised those going on a pilgrimage this Holy Week for the traditional Visita Iglesia (church visits) and Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) to be mindful of what they would eat and drink because diseases could be spread through contaminated food and water.
“We can never be sure how the juice and other cold drinks sold in the streets would be prepared so it’s better to be safe,” Duque said.
He also told the public to prepare their own food to guard against diseases such as diarrhea, hepatitis A and typhoid fever.
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