“Beyond the Raindrops: Fighting the Monsoon Flu”
The monsoon rains come lashing down the windows. The earth looks greener ,air is cleaner and the skies seem to playing their colour riots . The beautiful weather this year has also been notorious in bringing back the “season flu ” driving out patient clinic visits to historical highs . While it does not represent a fundamentally more lethal “super flu,” its highly contagious nature has caused a massive volume of simultaneous infections and it’s mutated varient is causing a variety of presentations affecting the entire household.
The influenza vaccines hsve been less effective as well owing to its mutations of the H3 N2 variant which can deceive the human immune system .. Although vaccines have been effective against complications, the debate on its need still continues.
However , as clinicians let’s formulate strategies to debunk this adage …’ It’s viral it will spread ’.
A strong personal hygiene, some minimum precautions and an immune boost can easily help protect against this seasonal flu.
- Personal hygiene
- Hand washing : still remains the biggest protection against all kinds of viral diseases.
- a robust 20 sec or a proper 1 min scrub after coming back from outdoors .
- proper use of sanitizers after touching any surface especially the gym,parks,malls or even places of worship.
- doctors even suggest a change of clothes and a warm shower after an outdoor exposure if possible.
- Proper nutrition
. A diet rich in calcium, iron , vitamin C and immune helpers like garlic, turmeric and ginger
Along with soft proteins like egg or lean chicken can maintain the strength without stressing on n the stomach.
. It’s a good time to actually enjoy a warm cup of “kating chai ” of course without the pakoras . Say no to Alcohol and greasy foods and particularly avoid outside street food during this season. - Precautions for the ones not “feeling well”
. Many a times a viral illness presents just as prodromal symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite and bodyache . Our strategy is to rest , as much as possible and robust hydration measures to treat the fatigue.
.Sleep is the biggest immune booster along with nutrition.
.Stay at home if u develop a runny nose, fever , cough ,stomach upset or a viral exanthem or rash.
. Stay away from elderly and children at home if u have flu like symptoms.
. A mask and proper hand hygiene can help prevent the spread of the disease especially around the patient at home or in public places. - When to seek help
Most people recover within one to two weeks, but you should contact a doctor immediately if you experience warning signs.
. Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath
. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
. Confusion or sudden dizziness
. Severe muscle pain or inability to wake up
. Symptoms worsen after initially starting to improve
Clinics and hospitals have been overwhelmed during peak illness periods because seasonal influenza spreads quickly . Most cases need patience and not panic Annual vaccination is recommended for:
pregnant women
children aged 6 months to 5 years
people over age 65
people with chronic medical conditions
health workers..
Personal hygiene and hydration are however routine measures to keep the disease at bay . Let us adopt healthy habits and seek proper medical advice before taking unnecessary medication. Flu is preventable and treatable at home in most of the cases. Despite advances in prevention and management, the global burden of influenza persists. As health care professionals, it’s our duty as well to promote rational use of medications . Let’s fight this together.
(Dr Shradha Suman is a doctor by profession, Assistant Professor in a medical College and an occasional writer. Passionate about women and child health , she works for an NGO promoting menstrual hygiene in Rural Jharkhand. Mother to a 9 year old , she loves weaving stories around women and their mental health issues which is largely ignored by the masses)
