If You are Sick Stay at Home

Doctors say that seasonal viruses are multiplying because of dampness in the air. There is 25% increase in patients with viral infections.It is because people are moving in clusters or not maintaining hygiene. The people with the infection don’t stay at home and therefore the infection spreads faster. However, the number of patients with H1N1 influenza is on the decline.

People should ensure their houses are well ventilated. Because of the cold, they usually keep windows and doors closed but that helps virus breed easily. Also, they don’t wash hands frequently. Children touch objects handled by infected people and this helps the virus spread. The infection starts as a general viral infection but turns into a secondary bacterial infection because the local immunity comes down and that’s when doctors prescribe antibiotics.

Asthmatic patients need to take special care in this season. They should continue with preventive medicine, don’t do strenuous exercise in the morning and protect their faces from the cold wind. The cold weather irritates their windpipes so they suffer more.

DOCTOR’S ADVICE

• Keep yourself warm
• Drink warm liquids, eat warm food
• Avoid frozen food or stale food
• Avoid exposure to people with infection
• Wash hands frequently
• Close mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing
• If You are Sick Stay at Home. This prevents spreading of infection

Times of India