With the sudden change in weather, major hospitals in the capital are receiving a large number of patients suffering from the seasonal infections including that in chest and throat, dry cough and common cold. Around 15 to 20 more patients are visiting the top government-run hospitals of the city, Polyclinic and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), who are infected with the seasonal diseases. PIMS Director Social Welfare Dr Waseem Khwaja confirmed the reports, saying, “Children are more prone to infections and the paediatric department of the hospital receives a large number of children daily, who are affected by some form of a seasonal infection.”
Dr Sharif Astori, the spokesperson at Polyclinic, told Pakistan Today that nearly 150 to 200 patients were visiting the emergency ward and OPD of the hospital. “Majority of them are children and aged people who are more sensitive to any seasonal outbreaks,” he said.
Dr Astori asked the people to take precautionary measures to protect themselves against seasonal diseases and recommended a balanced diet consisting of eggs, milk, fish, broth and citrus fruits for the purpose. “We advise our patients to keep themselves warm and include a glass of milk, egg and broth in their regular diet,” said Dr Astori. He said children and elderly people should especially be protected from extreme temperatures in morning and evening, adding that children should wear warm clothes while leaving for schools early in the morning.
He also advised people travelling on motorbikes and cycles to wear windbreakers as protection against the cold wind, adding that one should avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu.
Astori suggested washing the hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using toilet and coughing or sneezing into ones hands.
Talking about the symptoms of seasonal flu, Astori said one could feel symptoms like sudden fever, dry and chesty cough, headache, tiredness, aching muscles, limb or joint pain, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, loss of appetite and difficulty in sleeping.
He said the symptoms usually at peaked after two to three days but one would begin to feel much better within five to eight days, whereas cough and general tiredness might last for two to three weeks.
“No rain also means more dust, which increases the chances of getting infections whereas the rainfall in the twin cities will drastically reduce the number of patients suffering from seasonal infections,” he said.
