Mediscene

Battling the bug

With many people falling victim to ‘flu’ these days, Kumudini Hettiarachchi discusses the symptoms and solutions to what is being termed as “influenza-like illness”, with Dr. Panduka Karunanayake

It hits you suddenly…….high fever strikes you down with lightning speed and aches and pains of the body confine you to bed in addition to a wracking cough that remains long after you assume that you have fought that bug.

Even after a few days, when you think that you could drag yourself to work or school, the lethargy and feeling of being under the weather remain.

Sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow

“It could be the influenza virus itself or another virus which causes similar symptoms,” says Dr. Panduka Karunanayake, a Senior Lecturer of Medicine at the Medical Faculty, University of Colombo, explaining that doctors call it “influenza-like illness”.

The symptoms are wide and varied – ranging from the abrupt onset of fever, to aches and pains, to headache, sneezing, runny nose and coughing. The fever lasts 2-3 days and as it comes down, there could also be a drop in the platelet and white blood cell count, if a blood test is taken, says Dr. Karunanayake, adding that a blood test, however, is not necessary.

Sometimes, the viral infection could be accompanied or followed by a secondary bacterial infection, MediScene understands. Some viruses may also give rise to gastroenteritis, points out Dr. Karunanayake, with frequent vomiting and diarrhoea which are debilitating.

The answer for the flu is complete rest and paracetamol to keep the fever down. The patient should be well hydrated with lots of warm liquids even if there is no appetite, he said, adding that certain pain-killers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, mefenamic acid and diclofenac should be avoided to prevent complications.

When asked why flu-patients seemed to take a long while to recover, Dr. Karunanayake said that even though they overcame the influenza-like illness their respiratory tract was still “raw and inflamed” and if they were exposed to air-pollution or air-conditioning the cough would persist.

Children and the elderly are more prone to the flu-bugs as are those suffering from heart or lung disease or diabetes, it is understood.

However, some viruses target the young and healthy, says Dr. Karunanayake, giving clear advice on how to keep the bugs at bay. The simple tenet is – wash your hands frequently with soap and water and avoid touching the face, including the eyes, nose and mouth.

Some patients may benefit from the seasonal flu vaccine and it would be advisable to ask your doctor about it, he adds.

If you are ill, stay home from work or school, avoid tuition classes and follow the sneeze and cough etiquette which is to do so to the crook of your elbow to prevent others from falling victim to the virus.

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