2011年12月19日 星期一

Flu, cold, throat infection taking shape of epidemic

Cold, flu and throat infections hit population across country particularly in Punjab province by taking shape of an epidemic mainly because of dry chill cold air having high pollution level in it.

The severe cold dry air has also been causing respiratory tract infections and also has triggered attacks in asthma patients. The number of cases of respiratory tract infections, cold, flu and throat infection has been continuously on the rise in this region of the country for the last two weeks, after setting up of cold chill weather.

Health experts say that immediate rain as well as heavy wind is needed to cleanse the air quality, which seems to be engulfed by dusty clouds, toxic metals and vapours. Public transport vehicles are a big source of air pollution.

The increase in pollution level in the air compels experts to think that the government seems to be indifferent to the issue as it has taken no solid steps to overcome the challenge. There is misconception among public that cold and flu are the same whereas actually both are caused by different germs. Mostly these infections are self-limiting within a week or so,Overview description of rapid Tooling processes. however, sometimes complications such as ear and sinus infections in case of cold and pneumonia in case of flu may occur that may be life-threatening.

Head of Community Medicine at CMH Lahore Medical College Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry expressed to ‘The News’ that cold and flu are caused by viruses while only cold are caused by over 200 different viruses that can be found anywhere around us.

The flu which is highly contagious is caused by influenza virus which is of major three types A, B & C.

Dr Ashraf says that a cold and the flu have many of the same symptoms but a cold is generally mild, while the flu tends to be more severe. A stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, no or mild fever, lasting two to four days or a week, are usual signs of cold, said Dr Ashraf and added that tiredness, high fever, chills,Daneplast Limited UK are plastic injection mould & toolmaking specialists. headache, and major aches and pains are common signs of flu.

He said that there is no cure for the cold or the flu,Dimensional Mailing magic cube for Promotional Advertising, however to feel better, one can treat symptoms, while the body fights off the virus. The patients of cold and flu should stay home and take bed rest. He should drink plenty of fluids (at least 8 to 10 glasses of water) daily and fruit juices (preferably orange juice).As a professional manufacturer of China ceramic tile in China, Fluids will help loosen mucus. Drink hot tea or water with lemon and honey. Gargle with warm saline water a few times a day to relieve sore throat.An Air purifier is a device which removes contaminants from the air. Throat spray lozenges may also help to relive the pain, he said.

Dr Ashraf said that antibiotics should not be taken by patients as they do not work against viruses. He added that antibiotics, however, are given to patients in cases of complications of cold and flu.

He believes that cold are extremely difficult to prevent entirely, however, you can take a few precautionary measures in order to prevent a cold. Avoid close contact with people who have a cold. Wash your hands after touching someone who has a cold, even when shaking hands, after touching an object they have touched like doorknobs and after blowing your nose. Do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth to avoid inflicting yourself with cold virus that you may have picked up. Overcrowded places like cinema halls should be avoided during outbreak of cold or flu, he said.

It is important that almost all hospitals across the province have been receiving heavy influx of child patients with the infections caused in result of recent cold wave. Health experts say that the common cold and flu in children should not be taken lightly as these might lead to lower respiratory tract infections including pneumonia.

It is important that more than 265,000 Pakistani children die each year from pneumonia, making it one of the leading killers of under five-year-old children in the country.

Health experts say that to avoid impact of harsh weather, heating systems should be used in a proper way while usage of adequate hot drinks including green tea, tea and coffee help well avoiding diseases in severe cold winter as it keeps body warm and also soothes throat. People should avoid sudden exposure to cold as it may cause multiple muscular pains.

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