Variation in temperature poses health threats

Rawalpindi:A significant change in weather conditions, the setting in of summer though with frequent variations in temperatures between day and night in this region of the country is causing incidences of certain infections, fever, sore throat and problems involving respiratory tract infections.

Chronic patients including heart patients, diabetics and patients suffering from hypertension, allergy and asthmatic complications are also facing problems mainly because of sudden variations in temperature. The allied hospitals in town including Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital are receiving a significant number of patients including children with fever and upper respiratory tract infections.

Majority of patients having complaints of dust allergy or asthma have also been facing complications because of high pollution levels and the variation in temperature. It is important that almost all public and private sector healthcare facilities are receiving a good number of patients with seasonal ailments including febrile illness and sore throat while the number of patients with gastrointestinal infections is also registering an upward trend. Health experts say that the number of cases with sore throat and fever is on the rise mainly because of carelessness by individuals while the number of cardiac patients with complications involving blood pressure is also on the rise. Experts say that the majority of chronic patients need a change in routine along with medication after a change in weather conditions and it is better for chronic patients to visit their physicians, at the time, to avoid complications.

It is time for patients suffering from asthma or dust allergy to use masks to avoid complications. Most of the chronic patients suffer from complications because of the higher level of dust in the air and frequent changes in weather conditions. According to health experts, the incidences of seasonal infections can easily be avoided by creating sufficient awareness among the public about health threats the change in weather conditions pose. It is important that hot weather conditions help grow bacteria faster and intermittent spells of heat along with repeated fall in temperature increase the chances of incidences of seasonal infections particularly related to chest and throat.

Experts suggest that the individuals suffering from any kind of pollen or weed allergy should avoid dust and avoid using cold water to keep complications away. By keeping the environment of rooms clean, children and infants can be safeguarded from respiratory tract infections. In the existing weather conditions, children should be given a healthy diet and should not be allowed to use ice-cold water and cold drinks.

To avoid seasonal threats, people should use fans and air conditioners only if it is hot at night and should avoid extremely cold water and cold drinks. Experts say that the best option in the existing weather conditions is to use water at room temperature for drinking. School going children should not be allowed to consume food, cold drinks and ice cream from vendors operating in unhygienic conditions.