Two weeks average recovery time this flu season: Doctors
Doctors in the UAE are witnessing longer periods of recovery for residents contracting viral infections during this flu season. In some cases, it may even take up to two weeks to get complete relief from illnesses caused by influenza A, B and rhino viruses.
Dr Sara George, Family Medicine Practitioner, Burjeel MHPC, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, says: “The viral strain this year has been pretty strong, thus causing a more prolonged recovery period. This is also causing cough and tiredness in patients for a prolonged time.
“After a person contracts a viral illness, two weeks is the average time taken for a full recovery. It is normal to feel weak and tired while your body recovers. People should try to get flu vaccinations by the end of October.”
Dr Bhavinkumar Ganatra, specialist internal medicine, Aster Hospital, Sharjah, said: “People are experiencing high-grade, sore throat, runny nose, cough, headache, body aches and fatigue. Affected patients generally recover in a week's time from fever and other symptoms, but the cough persists for a week or two before it subsides. For some, it takes up to four weeks.
“Generally, we start with symptomatic cough medicine and syrups. If conditions do not improve, we give a nebuliser, which helps 70-80 per cent of patients. In severe cases, we try low-dose oral steroids also. Steam inhalation is one remedy people can try at home to improve the condition.”
Medics advise affected patients to avoid consuming cold items and direct exposure to airconditioners as it may help to reduce cough.
Dr Mitchelle Lolly, specialist pulmonologist with Prime Hospital Al Garhoud, Dubai said:
“It is not very clear why people are taking more time to recover... possible hypothesis could be that the virus is more virulent. The second hypothesis could be... that initially the wearing of masks decreased our exposure to common viruses, resulting in reduced immunity. Hence, exposure to the virus — which seemed new for our body — produced more inflammation and more symptoms. Third, it could be due to presence of secondary bacterial infections which is common after viral Infections.”
Meanwhile, in a statement issued to Khaleej Times, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) said: “With the onset of the winter season, it is expected that more people fall sick, particularly with more upper respiratory tract infections like influenza and common cold. Taking the vaccine is the best way to prevent the disease. The flu vaccine is updated to provide protection against the viruses that cause this disease.”
“Recently and during the months of October and November Healthcare facilities in the UAE are witnessing a surge in patients with symptoms like fever, cough, cold, body ache, loose motion, vomiting. Children are more vulnerable to influenza as they are less likely to resist diseases and more likely to get the infections by touching eyes and nose without washing their hands or following proper cough etiquette. Other high risk groups are pregnant ladies, immunocompromised people and people aged 50 and above.