People with flu advised against visiting patients in hospitals

Asenior official of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has advised thatpeople suffering from flu or common cold should not visit friends andfamily in hospital. Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, deputy chief medicalofficer and head of infectious diseases, HMC, emphasised how importantit is for people with flu or common cold symptoms to avoid visitingpatients until these symptoms subside completely.“While the flu isgenerally not a life-threatening condition for a young healthyindividual, it can make someone who is already sick or recovering from amedical condition very ill and can complicate their illness and prolongtheir stay in the hospital,” he explained, adding, “People who are sickwith symptoms of respiratory tract infections shouldn’t visit someonein hospital at any time of year, but this advice is particularlyimportant during the flu (winter) season when the flu virus and severalother respiratory (flu-like) viruses are in circulation.”Healthyhospital visitors are instructed to sanitise their hands when theyarrive at the hospital and before they leave. They should also covertheir cough or sneeze with a tissue or their sleeve, and sanitise theirhands after coughing or sneezing.Dr al-Khal suggested thatindividuals who feel sick should stay at home to avoid spreading the fluand focus on getting well. He said that anyone experiencing flusymptoms should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take fever-reducingmedicine. Those who have other chronic diseases like asthma or heartdisease and who have flu-like illness (fever, cough, runny nose, sorethroat, body aches) should seek medical attention immediately.Flusymptoms can include fever of 38C or higher, chills, harsh and barkingcough, runny nose, headache, vomiting/nausea, body aches, sore throatand general weakness.Dr al-Khal added that members of the publicwho are experiencing flu symptoms should seek treatment from theirprimary care provider and avoid going to the Emergency Department unlessthey have existing health conditions that put them at risk for severeinfluenza. Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe influenza andshould seek medical attention if they develop flu symptoms. “Thisyear we are seeing an increased number of patients withinfluenza-like-illness at our emergency departments. Many of these casesare not an emergency and can be treated at community-based healthcentres. For most individuals, the best treatment for flu is staying athome, drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping, and taking anti-fevermedication. Unless you are over the age of 65 or under the age of two,have diabetes, a heart, lung, or kidney condition, or immunosuppression,it is usually not necessary to visit a hospital for treatment of theflu,” advised Dr al-Khal.Anyone who is having difficulty breathingis experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain or severe abdominalpain, confusion, sudden dizziness, or severe vomiting, should, however,seek medical attention.The best way to prevent the flu is to get theflu shot, wash hands thoroughly, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouthwhen outside, and avoid contact with individuals who are sick.