Flu cases rise with change in weather

Visit any polyclinic or hospital in Jeddah, you will see a host of people — adults, children and infants — waiting for their turn to see a doctor. The time of seasonal flu and respiratory infections has arrived and is on the increase in Jeddah.
Because of weather changes, cases of seasonal flu and infection have increased. Some common complaints are viral fevers, coughs and colds, severe throat, eye, ear and stomach infections, asthma, respiratory disorders and muscular pain.
A doctor at one of the polyclincs said that on average he treats more than 40 patients everyday who have one of these problems.
He said that infection could spread very quickly among people, particularly in children, during speaking or sneezing and mostly through devices such as TV remote controls or mobile phones. Even pressing an elevator can transmit virus to your hands. He advised people to take care of themselves, avoid crowds and wash their hands with antibacterial soap or sterilizer.
He also said that regular nutritious meals are a necessity as they bolster immunity; people should keep themselves hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. In addition, he mentioned that if one family member becomes ill, he can pass the infection to other family members and that even an infant can pass an infection to adults.
Abdul Wahab, a patient, said that the changing weather was a very serious problem with one day being cold and the next being hot. Also, large numbers of people are coming for Umrah and they bring infections from all over the world and the infections spread easily.
“My throat became sore two days ago but I took care of the problem by using herbal medicine. Unfortunately, my runny nose and dry cough continued and I went to a doctor. He found that my throat infection was so bad that it needed antibiotics,” he said.
One mother of an infant said her baby became sick on Friday with high fever, a cough in his chest and a a runny nose. She took the child to various clinics and hospitals but could not find a specialist who could treat her child.
“I was forced to go to a pharmacy and get medication for temporary relief. Still, he suffered all night and was unable to sleep peacefully,” she said. “The clinics didn’t have a pediatrician on duty on Saturday and I was forced to take my child to a general physician.”