DPH Issues Flu Advisory As Cold Sets In
With IMD forecasting dry weather and lower night temperatures, the Telangana Health Department urges citizens to follow precautions to prevent seasonal flu and respiratory infections.
Hyderabad: With temperatures expected to fall across Telangana in the coming days, the directorate of public health and family welfare (DPHFW) has issued a health advisory urging citizens to take precautions against seasonal flu and acute respiratory infections.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad, dry weather is likely to prevail across the state for the next week, with minimum temperatures dropping by 2°C to 3°C in some areas. Health officials cautioned that the decline could lead to a rise in flu and cold-related illnesses.
The advisory noted that seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory infection marked by fever, cough, sore throat, body ache and fatigue, and spreads easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Most patients recover within a week with adequate rest, fluids and home care.
However, it warned high-risk groups — pregnant women, children below five, senior citizens above 65 and individuals with chronic medical conditions — to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear. Warning signs such as high fever, breathing difficulty, bluish lips or skin, blood in sputum or altered behaviour require immediate consultation at the nearest government health facility. Emergency cases can reach the 108 Ambulance Service for assistance.
Preventive measures advised by the directorate include covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently with soap and water, and avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
“The government has made elaborate arrangements at all public health facilities to ensure timely treatment and prevent the spread of seasonal flu,” said Dr B. Ravinder Nayak, director of DPHFW, Telangana.