- Food contamination and inadequate hygiene are attributed to the rise in instances.
- Doctors advise citizens to stay away from cold drinks and eating out.
KARACHI: It was revealed on Thursday that the number of patients being referred by general physicians to tertiary care institutions for admissions is increasing due to an increase in gastroenteritis and flu cases in the city.
Experts claim that although flu cases had decreased more than a month ago, they have returned in recent weeks.
However, experts think that the public’s poor hand hygiene during Ramadan and ingestion of tainted food and water are what have made the situation worse.
Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, a senior general practitioner currently practicing in Kaemari, described the symptoms of upper respiratory infections and gastroenteritis, explaining that medical professionals have been observing a spike in viral influenza for nearly a month. The majority of patients have reported fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throats, and acute muscle or body aches.
“Although in most cases there are early signs of recovery and the disease is not serious, things have become more problematic with the start of Ramadan. Similar to past years, he said, people are not exercising caution and are eating anything they feel like. He also mentioned that ice created from tainted water and food prepared with infected ingredients were all contributing factors.
“People’s favorite pakoras, samosas, and fruit chaat are frequently offered on roadside stands, which leads to health issues. The health of children is also deteriorating.
These days, Dr. Shoro sees 20 to 25 patients every day who have the flu, diarrhea, or both.
Senior general physician Dr. Altaf Hussain Khatri, who practices in the old city area, agreed, stating that a sizable portion of his patients are children.
“I refer three to four diarrhoea patients who have developed acute dehydration to tertiary care hospitals on a daily basis,” Dr. Khatri said. He also mentioned that because of the mild weather this Ramadan, individuals were unable to make healthy food and drink choices.
He also advised them to stay away from eating out and cold drinks.
Twenty to thirty patients with acute diarrhea were regularly presenting at the facility’s emergency room, sources at the Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi told Dawn. These patients needed intravenous fluids for rehydration.
With the arrival of Ramadan, the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) witnessed a 10% rise in gastroenteritis cases, according to Deputy Executive Director Dr. Yahya Tunio.
“Four patients with a medical history of acute dehydration who are suffering from renal failure are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”
He said that individuals need to drink hot water, wash their hands frequently, and stay hydrated.
