Srinagar, Aug 25 : Amid surge in Influenza cases across India, leading Pulmonologist Dr Naveed has urged people to take precautions for prevention and management of flu.

Dr Naveed said that common symptoms of influenza include fever and chills, dry cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, headache, body aches, extreme tiredness and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea, more in children.
Dr Naveed said people should wear a mask when having respiratory symptoms or in crowded places, wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, keep indoor spaces well ventilated, stay home when feverish and unwell and get annual influenza vaccination especially if at high risk. He said most important is isolation of patients having symptoms and if symptomatic, children should not be sent to school.
He said people should take adequate rest and drink plenty of fluids, take medicines only as advised by doctor and continue regular medicines for chronic lung and heart diseases. He said early medical advice should be sought if symptoms are severe or if belonging to high risk group.
He said people should not take antibiotics routinely as influenza is caused by a virus, should not self-medicate with steroids or antivirals, should not share utensils, towels or personal items, should not smoke or expose others to second hand smoke and should not go to work or school while feverish and unwell.
He said urgent medical care should be sought in case of difficulty in breathing, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips or face, dehydration, falling SpO2 or worsening after initial improvement.
He said pregnant women, older adults, young children, people with chronic lung and heart diseases and people with weak immunity are at higher risk and need extra care.
“There is nothing to panic about the flu, we just need to be extra cautious. Prevention is better than cure,” Dr Naveed said.
Dr Naveed appealed people to follow mask, hand hygiene, ventilation, vaccination and early medical advice to protect themselves, their family and community.