(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A
senior official of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has advised that
people suffering from flu or common cold should not visit friends and
family in hospital.
Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, deputy chief medical
officer and head of infectious diseases, HMC, emphasised how important
it is for people with flu or common cold symptoms to avoid visiting
patients until these symptoms subside completely.
'While the flu is
generally not a life-threatening condition for a young healthy
individual, it can make someone who is already sick or recovering from a
medical condition very ill and can complicate their illness and prolong
their stay in the hospital, he explained, adding, 'People who are sick
with symptoms of respiratory tract infections shouldn't visit someone
in hospital at any time of year, but this advice is particularly
important during the flu (winter) season when the flu virus and several
other respiratory (flu-like) viruses are in circulation.
Healthy
hospital visitors are instructed to sanitise their hands when they
arrive at the hospital and before they leave. They should also cover
their cough or sneeze with a tissue or their sleeve, and sanitise their
hands after coughing or sneezing.
Dr al-Khal suggested that
individuals who feel sick should stay at home to avoid spreading the flu
and focus on getting well. He said that anyone experiencing flu
symptoms should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take fever-reducing
medicine. Those who have other chronic diseases like asthma or heart
disease and who have flu-like illness (fever, cough, runny nose, sore
throat, body aches) should seek medical attention immediately.
Flu
symptoms can include fever of 38C or higher, chills, harsh and barking
cough, runny nose, headache, vomiting/nausea, body aches, sore throat
and
general weakness.
Dr al-Khal added that members of the public
who are experiencing flu symptoms should seek treatment from their
primary care provider and avoid going to the Emergency Department unless
they have existing health conditions that put them at risk for severe
influenza. Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe influenza and
should seek medical attention if they develop flu symptoms.
'This
year we are seeing an increased number of patients with
influenza-like-illness at our emergency departments. Many of these cases
are not an emergency and can be treated at community-based health
centres. For most individuals, the best treatment for flu is staying at
home, drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping, and taking anti-fever
medication. Unless you are over the age of 65 or under the age of two,
have diabetes, a heart, lung, or kidney condition, or immunosuppression,
it is usually not necessary to visit a hospital for treatment of the
flu, advised Dr al-Khal.
Anyone who is having difficulty breathing
is experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain or severe abdominal
pain, confusion, sudden dizziness, or severe vomiting, should, however,
seek medical attention.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get the
flu shot, wash hands thoroughly, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
when outside, and avoid contact with individuals who are sick.
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