Rainy season could spike Covid-19 cases

Doctors say people suffering from allergies vulnerable in wet weather

ISLAMABAD:

Health experts on Wednesday warned the people that they should take extra precautionary measures and care as Covid-19 virus may worsen due to other monsoon rains related ailments.

They have advised people to be more careful about the food items they are eating and adopt early precautionary measures owing to current season.

The rainy season brings with it ailments like seasonal influenza that has symptoms similar to those of Covid-19. ENT Specialist and Pakistan Medical Association Secretary General Dr Qaiser Sajjad said due to exposure to rain, hypothermia, respiratory tract infections and waterborne ailments may affect people, while sudden drops in temperature is harmful to the health of those who suffers with allergies or asthma.

He also stresses that public need to be aware of the hazards associated with rain-related diseases and warned against self-medication, even in case of seasonal ailments. People are not fully aware of drugs sold to them and become victim of quack-medical practitioners thus losing both health and wealth, he added.

Dr Sajjad said self-medication for physical and physiological diseases pose serious risks to mental health and advised that pharmacists, doctors and medical practitioner should charge with responsibility for giving health-care and medical advice to patients.

"Water-borne diarrhea and jaundice may complicate the coronavirus situation so people should take extra care while going out and eating fast food from restaurants," he said.

Roadside snacks like chaats and sliced melons might be quite enticing but eating them could lead to food poisoning and diarrhoea, adding, these foods mainly contain raw fruits and vegetables which might be unclean.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.