Cold weather triggers respiratory illnesses

Flu, chest infection and pneumonia on the rise, especially among children

KARACHI:

The  number of patients with viral diseases like flu, chest infection and pneumonia has increased during the last month as government and private hospitals and clinics across the province witnessed a rush of patients,  especially infants and children. Doctors blame the current  cold weather for the surge in viral illnesses, especially chest  infection and fever, in rural and urban parts of northern Sindh. Most of the patients, especially children,  contract viral diseases like  influenza, bronchitis, nasal allergy, asthma, sore  throat,  chest  infection, and pneumonia, dry  cough and scabies.  

Flu related diseases have  infected a large number of  people,  particularly  children  and  infants,  as  patients  with  such  diseases   are seen in great numbers  at the government as well  as private hospitals.  Child  specialist  Dr  Zulifqar Soomro said on Thursday that common cold and flu in children should not be taken lightly as these might  lead to lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, while stressing the need to take  additional care of  children in winter, adding that parents should dress their children in warm clothing.

Read Seven kids fall prey to pneumonia

"I also advise parents not  to overheat their children  and  just  put  on  sweater   and warm clothes as  sometimes overheating is  also  not  good  for  them,"   he added. One of the  basic causes of various  diseases  is  that  people  do   not  know  how  to  protect   their children, he said. If  proper  care  is  not  taken,  complications such as  ear  and  sinus  infections,   pneumonia and high fever  could occur.  

Dr  Najia  said  that  most   of the patients come from  the  slums  who  complain that they cannot keep  their children  warm  because  of  electricity  and   gas  load-shedding.  She   said  that  severe cold  and  dry air may cause respiratory  tract infections  and  as well trigger asthma  among  people  of  all  age  groups. "It is need of  hour  to  create  awareness among public regarding protection from infections," she said.

Read  State of healthcare in country grim: PMA

 Dr  Najaf  Ali  Shah  said  that people should use  green  tea,  coffee  and  tea  to  avoid  viral  infections. People  should  pay  more   attention  to  the  kind  of   shoes  they wear.  "Shoes  should neither be too tight  nor  should they  squeeze  the toes.  We  should  also avoid high heels daily and  restrict them to occasional  use," he stressed.  

Dr Mansoor Memon,  who  serves  at  a  government hospital in Ranipur,  suggested that one should  give one’s feet a 30-second  inspection  daily  to check  for  any  peeling  skin,  unnatural  moistness  or  to rule out any discoloration, redness, cracks or other abnormalities.

Upon discovering any of these abnormalities we should  consult a doctor as soon  as possible. To  avoid  diseases,  ex- perts suggest keeping the feet dry. Diabetics must take special care of their feet  and  in case they notice  anything unusual they must  consult a good doctor as soon as possible.