TAXILA, Dec 18: People especially schoolchildren are suffering from seasonal infections due to the prevailing cold and dry weather as patients with dust allergy, chest and throat inflections continued to swarm outdoor patients departments (OPDs) of major hospitals and clinics of the city.

The doctors in the public and private hospitals and clinics in the city and adjourning areas said influx of patients especially children and infants continued to increase with each passing day.

Medical Superintendent THQ hospital Dr Mohammad Shahid said almost half of the patients coming to OPDs complained of viral infections. He said there had been a two-fold increase in cases of influenza, especially among children.

“The prevailing dry weather is causing spread of viral infections,” he said, adding that parents should dress their children in warm clothes to avoid ailments. “I also advise parents not to overheat children and just put sweater and warm clothes assometimes over heating children proves detrimental,” he said.

Dr Masood Ahmed Khan, a paediatrician at a local private hospital, said prevailing cold and dry weather led to a significant increase in cases of chest and throat infections. He saidgas loadshedding also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases aspeople could not keep warm.

President Young Doctors Association (YDA) Taxila chapter Dr Imran Younas said people should take precautionary measures to protect themselves from seasonal diseases and take a balanced diet containing eggs, milk, fish and citrus fruits such as oranges. —Correspondent