KARACHI: People told to take simple steps against flu
KARACHI, Dec 15: Karachiites, in general, are presently in the grip of viral infections, which is usually registered at this point of changing season each year. Physicians talking to APP on Thursday made all-out efforts to dispel the rampant impression that citizens may necessarily be exposed to Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever or/and Congo Crimean Fever respectively.
People are but vulnerable to Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Influenza and Para Influenza - Type I and Type II, they said mentioning that there is but a typical temperature shoot-up among those inflicted with fever from all age groups.
Dr Mobina Agboatwala, Paediatrics Department, Civil Hospital attributed this to a regular cycle under which after every four to five years period, a change is noticed in the manifestation of viral fever which again, as emphasised, is largely self-limiting with no severe implications.
Ateno Viruses (Influenza) being currently reported, among all age groups, was but said to be appearing with slight change in its manifestation during one month’s time.
Physicians elaborating this said that till November, patients reported cough and fever while at present, they were mainly coming with running nose, high grade fever and body ache.
Answering a query, Dr Shoaib said that there was basically no vaccine to prevent viral fever as the virus kept on mutating every year and spread fast.
Antibiotics were suggested to be avoided, lest a qualified physician prescribed them on the basis of good and first hand idea about the patient’s condition. Abstaining from unnecessary use of antibiotics and anti-fevers were said to prevent resistance against the diseases.
Physicians said antipyretics such as paracetamol could be taken in case of body ache. Rest and proper intake of warm fluids as soups and teas were further suggested for patients suffering from influenza.
Since the viruses mainly spread through droplets, the doctors urged people to ensure that their mouths were properly covered while they coughed or sneezed. Use of clean towel for cleaning nose was said to be equally important to prevent the spread of infection.
School going children suffering from fever were recommended not to be sent to schools nor allowed to play in open with others.—APP
