Theresa42
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Flu outbreak in Lahore, Pakistan. Hat-tip, Okieman!
Lahorites advised to drink plenty as prevention against influenza
Oct 20, 2007
Staff Reporter
LAHORE: A recent change in the weather has reportedly caused an outbreak of influenza (commonly known as flu) in the city and its surrounding areas. Its intensity of occurrence however in the city is more than that of last year owing to the rampant air pollution.
During a survey conducted by The Post, scores of people were seen swarming all city clinics, waiting in queue to be examined by the doctors.
Health experts have opined that the virus usually appears in epidemic form and affects many people at once, adding that all city roads and streets dug up by the district government road department and other civic agencies for development purpose were the major source of air pollution. "In such conditions, suspended dust particles in the air are causing problems for people especially to schoolchildren who are becoming victims of various viral diseases including flu and dust allergy,' they said.
Furthermore, the dilapidated road conditions are adding to the asthma patients' miseries, they added.
"Influenza is an acute, highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by a flu virus which spreads in the lungs and airways. The virus attacks mainly the upper respiratory tract, the nose, throat and bronchi and rarely the lungs," they said, adding that the infection usually lasts for about a week, characterized by a sudden onset of high fever (101 to 102 degrees), loss of appetite, myalgia, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat, and rhinitis.
Pakistan Medical Association Lahore president and professor at Allama Iqbal Medical College and Jinnah Hospital Dr Imtiaz Rasool while talking to The Post said most patients of influenza recover within a week to two without requiring much medical treatment. "However, for those suffering from medical complications like heart problems, kidney or cancer, influenza poses a serious risk," he said, adding that the most common complication of influenza is pneumonia, which could be primary influenza viral pneumonia or secondary to bacterial infection.
He said the flu virus usually spreads out in small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the atmosphere by an infected person. "Direct contact with hands contaminated with the virus can also spread infection. Although a person with influenza feels very sick, it rarely leads to a more serious complication, except for those at greater risk," he added.
Pakistan Medical Society Chairman Dr Masood Sheikh advised the people to gargle daily besides taking in an anti-allergy drug at night along with a high-protein diet during the changing weather in order to avoid being under the spell.
"Vaccination is essential for the prevention of influenza apart from reducing the impact of epidemics of other viral and bacterial diseases," he said, adding that "Flu vaccines for kids and older is vital to get a year protection from flu which often leads to chest infection or Pneumonia among vulnerable. He advised that the people should avoid exposure to dust in general to be on the safe side. "Complete bed rest, extra fluids, at least one full glass of water or juice every hour, soup and citric fruits for at least two days would help cure influenza," he said, adding that in case of prolonged illness or complication, the patients must contact the doctor.
http://thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=124113&catid=3
Lahorites advised to drink plenty as prevention against influenza
Oct 20, 2007
Staff Reporter
LAHORE: A recent change in the weather has reportedly caused an outbreak of influenza (commonly known as flu) in the city and its surrounding areas. Its intensity of occurrence however in the city is more than that of last year owing to the rampant air pollution.
During a survey conducted by The Post, scores of people were seen swarming all city clinics, waiting in queue to be examined by the doctors.
Health experts have opined that the virus usually appears in epidemic form and affects many people at once, adding that all city roads and streets dug up by the district government road department and other civic agencies for development purpose were the major source of air pollution. "In such conditions, suspended dust particles in the air are causing problems for people especially to schoolchildren who are becoming victims of various viral diseases including flu and dust allergy,' they said.
Furthermore, the dilapidated road conditions are adding to the asthma patients' miseries, they added.
"Influenza is an acute, highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by a flu virus which spreads in the lungs and airways. The virus attacks mainly the upper respiratory tract, the nose, throat and bronchi and rarely the lungs," they said, adding that the infection usually lasts for about a week, characterized by a sudden onset of high fever (101 to 102 degrees), loss of appetite, myalgia, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat, and rhinitis.
Pakistan Medical Association Lahore president and professor at Allama Iqbal Medical College and Jinnah Hospital Dr Imtiaz Rasool while talking to The Post said most patients of influenza recover within a week to two without requiring much medical treatment. "However, for those suffering from medical complications like heart problems, kidney or cancer, influenza poses a serious risk," he said, adding that the most common complication of influenza is pneumonia, which could be primary influenza viral pneumonia or secondary to bacterial infection.
He said the flu virus usually spreads out in small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the atmosphere by an infected person. "Direct contact with hands contaminated with the virus can also spread infection. Although a person with influenza feels very sick, it rarely leads to a more serious complication, except for those at greater risk," he added.
Pakistan Medical Society Chairman Dr Masood Sheikh advised the people to gargle daily besides taking in an anti-allergy drug at night along with a high-protein diet during the changing weather in order to avoid being under the spell.
"Vaccination is essential for the prevention of influenza apart from reducing the impact of epidemics of other viral and bacterial diseases," he said, adding that "Flu vaccines for kids and older is vital to get a year protection from flu which often leads to chest infection or Pneumonia among vulnerable. He advised that the people should avoid exposure to dust in general to be on the safe side. "Complete bed rest, extra fluids, at least one full glass of water or juice every hour, soup and citric fruits for at least two days would help cure influenza," he said, adding that in case of prolonged illness or complication, the patients must contact the doctor.
http://thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=124113&catid=3