Cases of colds, sore throat, cough and flu on rise

Polluted air containing dusty clouds, toxic metals and

vapours causing greater threats

Rawalpindi

The cases of colds, sore throat, cough, and flu along with complications among patients suffering from asthma are continuously on the rise since the setting in of winter and according to health experts, children are at greater risk of contracting both upper and lower respiratory tract infection.

As there has not been any rain spell after the fall in temperature in this region of the country, the air is filled up with dusty clouds containing highly injurious chemicals. According to health experts, 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 which pose serious threat to public health.

Generally, in winter, children suffer from cold, upper and lower respiratory tract infections ten times as often as all other diseases combined and it is time for the parents to take extra care of their children particularly the school-going children who are at greater risk of contracting seasonal ailments as they remain exposed to toxic air for longer duration.

Head of Community Medicine at CMH Lahore Medical College Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry expressed this while talking to ‘The News’ on the increasing threat of seasonal ailments after the setting in of winter.

He said we all get colds and really feel miserable. The common cold and flu (influenza) are very common infections of upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, ears and sinuses). Colds and flu are caused by viruses. Over 200 different viruses can cause colds. They can be lurking anywhere in the environment. The virus hangs around the classroom, office, factory, the bus, or train in tiny droplets that are sneezed and coughed by infected people into the air, he said.

He added the flu is caused by influenza virus which is of major three types A, B and C. These infections are highly contagious, passed by tiny droplets produced during sneezing, coughing of infected persons and touching things with hands and tissues that others touch.

Dr. Ashraf said 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. Tiredness, high fever, chills, headache, and major aches and pains probably mean you have the flu, he said.

He added that coughing can be a sign of either cold or the flu. But a bad cough points to the flu. Tiredness from flu may continue for several weeks. There is no cure for the cold or the flu however you can treat your symptoms only to feel better while your body fights off the virus, he explained.

Mostly colds and flu are self-limiting within a week or so, however, sometimes complications such as ear and sinus infections in case of colds and pneumonia in case of flu may occur which may be life-threatening, he added.

To a query, he said if you have cold or flu, stay home and rest in the bed. Cut down late nights and vigorous exercise for a few days. Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke. Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight to 10 glasses of water and fruit juices preferably orange juice. Fluids will help loosen mucus. Drink hot tea or water with lemon and honey. Chicken soup can also help loosen the mucus. Gargle with warm saline water a few times a day to relieve sore throat. Throat spray lozenges may also help to relieve the pain, he said.

He suggested that the patient should suck on cough lozenges or take cough syrup to quiet a dry cough. Use saline nasal drops to help loosen mucus. However, nasal drops or sprays should not be used longer than three days. Inhaling steam can help a blocked nose. Wash your nose frequently, he said.

He added that Zinc supplements may help to settle a cold more quickly. They help to boost resistance. Analgesics such as paracetamole or ibuprofen may be used to relieve muscle aches and pains and reduce fever. Children and teenagers, however, should not take aspirin, he suggested.

He added that antibiotics should not be taken as they don’t work against viruses. However, in case of complications of cold and flu, these may be taken on the advice of qualified doctor. Avoid coffee or cola drinks. Also avoid any drinks that contain alcohol, he said.

He added that many patients have their own unproven theories about what works for example taking ‘joshanda’, application of olive oil in the nose, etc. As long as these are not harmful, one can try these remedies, he said.

Talking of preventive measures, Dr. Ashraf said colds 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, he said.

He added that overcrowded places like cinema halls should be avoided during outbreak of colds or flu and especially children should not be taken to overcrowded areas, said Dr. Ashraf.