As the mercury drops and the weather turns dry, the number of people suffering from seasonal ailments such as flu, cold, fever and throat have increased. Clinics and hospitals have been awash with such patients.
Health officials said that in the past two days alone, around 6,000 people suffering from flu, fever or throat ailments have visited different hospitals of the city.
They added that a large number of people complained of suffering from these ailments due to the cold and dry turn of weather.
Health experts hinted that the influx of patients is expected to continue until the first rain of the winter season, which will help in settling down the dust.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Rafique Ahmed recommended residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to keep wearing facemasks while going outside apart from observing other guidelines for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). He added that people should refrain from consuming cold water and ice creams but rather increase their consumption of hot soups and green tea.
Dr Ahmed added that everyone should wash hands after every two hours while they should avoid eating fruits and vegetables sold openly by the roadsides.
The motorcyclists should wear a jacket while riding a bike after sunset, the doctor suggested.
Apart from protecting against Covid-19 and dengue - the other prevalent viral diseases in the twin cities, it will also help protect them from catching the flu.
Cold in the pandemic
In a year when the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has gripped the country, along with the rest of the world, the change in seasons and accompanying disease has created concerns amongst the public.
With cold, cough and flu, all common during this time, some have become fearful that they may suffer from deadly pandemic instead since it shares some of the symptoms.
Doctors have recommended adopting precautionary measures to prevent viral infections, including strict adherence to the standard operating procedures outlined by the government against the pandemic.
They further suggested that citizens avoid consuming cold drinks, ice-creams, as well as sweet and sour items while enhancing their consumption of more chicken, eggs, fish, fresh citrus fruits and dry fruits.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2020.
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