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Even as the fourth wave of Covid-19 threatens India, thousands of people in Odisha have been affected by cold, cough, and fever, raising fears of the infection spreading again.
Every day, hundreds of people are seen queuing at the emergency departments of various hospitals and healthcare facilities with ailments such as colds, coughs, and fevers. Health experts have labeled it the seasonal flu and advised people to take precautions to avoid hospitalization. Children, people over the age of 60, and those with comorbid symptoms, they say, should be extra cautious.
Health experts said that the vulnerable group should opt for flu vaccination which is available since 2009. “Children, people with diabetes, immune disorders, heart problems and comorbid conditions are especially vulnerable to this seasonal flu,” said one health expert.
Odisha Public Health Director, Dr Niraj Mishra added that those with respiratory problems and low blood pressure are also susceptible to flu-related pneumonia and need to take additional precautions. “People need to be cautious and wear masks to avoid catching the flu. In addition, those who are already suffering from influenza should remain in isolation and practice Covid appropriate behaviour. They should take the same precautions as they would in case of being affected by Covid-19,” Dr Mishra said.
In response to a question, Dr. Mishra stated that, while seasonal flu vaccination is available, there is no government recommendation to begin mass vaccination immediately. He and other health experts advised people who were already sick with the seasonal flu to take paracetamol on a regular basis. They emphasized the importance of wearing masks.
Source:OCN
