With the temperature dipping across the Sultanate, hospitals are seeing an increase in the number of people with fever, cough and heavy chest, most of them children. “We receive at least five to 10 people with symptoms that include fever, chesty cough, headache, tiredness, muscle ache, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing every day,” said a clinical practitioner at a public health centre.
“These are cases of influenza triggered by a highly contagious virus which strikes every year,” she added.
“When there is a sudden drop in temperature, certain organisms, especially virus and bacteria, get active,” says Dr Rajyashree, Barakat Al Noor Clinic.
Increased travel is another reason behind the increase in the number of cases. Where there is more crowding, the chances of transmission are more.
Children bring home the infection from school and eventually the entire family gets infected.
“We have nine cases of H1N1, with one having severe pneumonia. He was kept in the ICU.The patient was discharged after complete recovery,” said Dr Dilip Singvi, Apollo Hospitals.
Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle ache and fatigue. “Most of the cases can be treated through antipyretics, symptomatics, bed rest and plenty of fluids. Some require anti-viral medication,” said Dr Paul, senior paediatrician, Badr Al Samaa Hospitals. He sees 20-30 cases of flu every day. “The best preventive measure is vaccinating kids with influenza vaccine, also called flu shots. It is recommended for children above six months of age and is given on a yearly basis,” he said.
KABEER YOUSUF
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