Seasonal cold cases on the rise

With the advent of winter, people have started to experience dry cough, cold, headache, fever, phlegm cough, and eye infections.

Additionally, the cost of medication in the open market has also skyrocketed. Currently, the medicine for cough and colds being sold in the market ranges from Rs90 to Rs120. The garrison city's three allied hospitals and the Cantonment General Hospital see more patients due to these seasonal diseases.

On the other hand, fewer students are attending school due to seasonal colds. Some 383 patients have visited OPDs of these hospitals in the last two days; many of them are young school-going children.

With the rise in seasonal cold cases, doctors and nurses working in small clinics in Rawalpindi and Cantt areas have also gained additional income. These small clinics are charging Rs300-Rs400 per patient along with Rs400 additional costs for injections.

Chief Medical Officer at the Holy Family Hospital Dr Jameel Janjua urged the citizens to ensure that their kids wear warm clothing and face masks and smog issue is also common during winter.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2022.