THERE’S a simple – but important – advice for people exhibiting flu-like symptoms: Mask up!
With a drop in temperature, clinics and hospitals are reporting a rush of influenza cases with a majority of them being school children.
The maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 18C, down from 21C registered over the past few days.
According to the meteorological directorate, the weather over the next five days is going to be cold and partly cloudy with a chance of scattered rain and temperatures hovering around 19C-20C.
An average of 50 to 60 patients are visiting hospitals with flu symptoms, a number of doctors told the GDN.
“Almost half of the patients visiting specialist internists in hospitals have been flu patients,” said Dr Sunil Rao, a specialist of internal medicine at the Royal Bahrain Hospital (RBH).
“Fortunately, only about five per cent of the cases are serious and require to be admitted to hospital, usually due to acute bronchitis or pneumonia,” he added.
Seasonal influenza viruses are believed to be transmitted from person-to-person primarily through virus-laden droplets that are generated when infected people speak, cough or sneeze.
These droplets can be deposited onto the mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract of susceptible people who are near the droplet source. Transmission also may occur through direct and indirect contact with infectious respiratory secretions, for instance by hands that subsequently deliver infectious material to the eyes, nose or mouth.
Several medical professionals have attributed the rise in influenza cases to the relaxation of Covid-19 measures, and complacency.
“The increase in cases is most probably because of two reasons – low immunity, and because people are exposed to the virus post Covid-19 after a gap of nearly three years,” said Dr Srinivasulu Dammu, a family medicine physician at the American Mission Hospital (AMH).
During the pandemic, several restrictions were in force, including wearing face masks in public spaces and sanitising hands regularly.
This coupled with remote working and learning meant that there was minimum exposure to viruses during the period.
However, with the rise in flu cases doctors are once again advising the use of face masks to control the spread of the influenza virus.
“The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or face shields is important when ill, especially in extreme cases, as it helps combat the spread of the disease,” added Dr Dammu.
Dr Ahmed Elsebaaie, a consultant of internal medicine at Al Kindi Hospital said, “We’ve seen many cases of influenza and pneumonia as of late.
“In China, there is a new generation of Covid-19 virus that is constantly mutating, and this is now happening with the influenza virus as well,” he said, adding that people should wear masks and sanitise.
“It is because they stopped that there are now outbreaks everywhere.”
His sentiment was echoed by Dr Swapna PK, a consultant of internal medicine at Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre.
“The protocols in force over the past two-and-a-half years such as wearing masks, hand-washing, sanitising and social distancing have helped reduce the transmission of not just Covid-19, but viral illnesses in general,” she said.
“People are no longer following these measures, and that appears to be one of the reasons for the rise in flu cases.”
In October, the Health Ministry urged people to take the influenza vaccine amidst a surge in seasonal cases at the time, with hospitals reporting a spike even back then.
The ministry has since then called on the elderly people and those with chronic diseases and underlying conditions, especially those suffering from diabetes, autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, chronic heart, liver or kidney diseases, chronic pulmonary diseases like asthma, and hereditary blood diseases like sickle cell anemia, to take the jab.
“The way to combat the illness is to develop immunity, by taking the flu vaccination,” said Dr Dammu.
“It will definitely help in preventing a severe flu attack in the form of pneumonia, for example.”
Dr Elsebaaie added that the flu vaccine will help protect you from influenza and diseases such as swine flu (H1N1).
“It will also help us differentiate between influenza and Covid-19.
“People with diabetes and heart diseases should take the vaccine as they can be worse hit than others.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that countries around the world have reported an increase in cases of viral diseases including the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Dr Dammu has urged the public to avoid panic.
“The sickness is limited to two or three days at the most. In case you are ill, stay indoors as much as possible, consume plenty of protein and vitamins, and, most importantly, only seek medical services when absolutely necessary.”
Dr Elsebaaie pleaded with the public to stay vigilant.
“Wear masks and take precautions, this illness is mostly preventable.”
Dr Rao urged people with flu symptoms to isolate for two to three days, wear a mask and wash hands regularly and thoroughly.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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