Influenza on the rise in Banke

BANKE: The number of people suffering from influenza infection is found to be increasing in Banke district.

The number of people being confirmed with influenza infection has been increasing since the past two weeks, said Influenza Focal Person Consultant Physician of the Bheri hospital, Dr Khagendrajung Shah.

The hospital has sent the samples collected from the patients to the National Public Health Laboratory for testing.

People with influenza suffer from cold, fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, and body aches. Similarly, there are symptoms such as sore eyes, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, breathing problems, and diarrhea in children. The number of patients is increasing as the weather changes.

“Seasonal influenza is a type of virus infection, it is also called flu, and is transmitted through breathing”, said, Chief of the hospital’s laboratory Prasanna Mishra, “it is very contagious and the risk of transmission from one family member to another and among school students is high.”

Every day around 30 to 35 people who come to the outpatient service of Bheri Hospital for check-up are found suffering from cold and Influenza is confirmed in most of them, said chief consultant physician and head of the medicine department of the hospital, Dr Rajan Pandey.

The flu affects the elderly, chronically ill, malnourished children, diabetic, high blood pressure and heart patients who are on regular medication. Dr Pandey suggests that it is advisable to get vaccinated against influenza to avoid various types of viral infection.