Virus strong, spreading fast due to poor hygienic conditions and declining immunity
Virus strong, spreading fast due to poor hygienic conditions and declining immunity
Hyderabad: Viral pneumonia, a seasonal influenza, is on the rise in the city with Gandhi Hospital recording two cases per day and private hospitals seeing at least six to seven cases everyday.
This increase since the past month is due to the “just after monsoon period”, say doctors. Symptoms like high fever, dry cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and running nose are commonly seen. There are many who also suffer from viral pneumonia, a lower respiratory tract infection.
Dr Narsimalu K., professor of internal medicine at Gandhi Hospital, said, “We are seeing several viral infection cases which behave with the same severity as the H1N1 (swine flu virus). But when it is tested it turns out to that they are not H1N1 cases.”
The increasing number of cases shows that the bacteria or virus is strong and spreads easily through sneezing, coughing or touching contaminated surfaces. Dr Altaf Naseem, a paediatrician, said, “The first line of antibiotics is not working in most cases. We have to opt for a second line of antibiotics. Some children also require hospitalisation as they cannot consume simple food and have to be kept on IV fluids.”
The virus is spreading fast and this is compounding the problem, say experts. Dr P. Sudershan Reddy, a senior paediatrician, said, “Waning immunity and unhygienic conditions, further complicate the issue. The basic rules of not stepping out if you are suffering from a contagious disease, are not followed. The best way to prevent it, according to the World Health Organisation, is to get vaccinated before or during the onset of monsoon and winter. ”
People also need to be educated about infection prevention methods. Simple things like covering your mouth and nose with a medical mask or with a cloth are rarely followed.
Dr H. Kishan, a general physician, said, “Medical masks and gloves are recommended for senior citizens as when they suffer from influenza, the attack is debilitating and recovery takes long. After the H1N1 scare, regular warnings have been issued to avoid crowded places and to wear protective gear also if visited must be done so with a protective gear as it would save them from these contagious viruses.”
Seasonal diseases affect senior citizens more:
Senior citizens are vulnerable to a host of diseases like the simple flu, pneumonia, influenza, malaria, dengue and seasonal diseases which sometimes take long to heal. Since their immunity is low, they take longer to recover.
Dr K. Dinkar, general physician, said, “For this reason, we recommend vaccines for senior citizens. As they also suffer from lifestyle or age-related diseases, seasonal attacks have a bigger impact on them. There have been instances of multi-organ failure due to these diseases. Getting vaccinated once a year is a recommended precautionary measure.”
The best prevention method is to get vaccinated once a year as a precautionary measure."
( Source : dc correspondent )
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