Thai Public Health Ministry Warns Of Winter Diseases

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HEALTH

Doctors warn of winter illness

By THE NATION

The Public Health Ministry has warned people to protect themselves during the coming winter season from six communicable diseases which infected more than 500,000 and killed 381 over the past year.

Deputy Minister Pannasiri Kullanart said from November 2009 to February 2010, over 541,650 people had fallen ill from diseases during winter season - including seasonal flu, influenza, pneumonia, measles, German measles, chickenpox and diarrhoea.

"Cool weather in the winter season helps some viruses to grow very well and infect humans easily - especially elderly people, children and patients with underlying diseases such as HIV/Aids, diabetes, lung, heart and anaemia," she said.

"People should exercise to warm their bodies," she suggested.

According to Public Health Ministry records from November 2009 to February 2010, about 438,148 people were hit by diarrhoea, followed by pneumonia which affected 51,464, influenza with 30,828 cases, and about 21,210 had fallen ill with measles, German measles and chickenpox. Pneumonia caused the most deaths with 340 cases.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit will today call on all relevant agencies to outline measures that could prevent people from diseases brought on by winter cold.

Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Manit Teeratantikanont said communicable diseases like influenza, pneumonia, measles, German measles and chickenpox could be transmitted by coughing and wheezing.

Bacteria and viruses could infect humans through nasal mucus and saliva contaminating food containers, glasses and handkerchiefs.

He suggested people drink a lot of water, rest and take fever reducers when they develop high fever, headache, fatigue or coughing.

If they have a high fever or over-breathing for more than two days, children - especially those aged under 5 years, or with malnutrition problems or congenital heart disease - should undergo treatment at a healthcare unit immediately.

He added that adolescent children may also have measles-like symptoms and develop fever, nasal mucus, coughing, red eyes and bronchitis.

Rashes would appear on their bodies four days after they developed fever. They would spread to all parts of their bodies and disappear within two weeks. Children with measles should be isolated from others for a week.

Manit has also warned adult and pregnant women to be cautious of German measles, especially women at the three-month pregnancy stage as German measles can cause disabilities for their babies.

"People who develop German measles should see a doctor as soon as they can and stop working or studying for a week," he suggested.

Diarrhoea spreads in the winter season through Rotavirus, which is a common infection among children aged under two, contracted through drinking water or eating food contaminated by the virus. They are frequently dehydrated after infection.

In related news, the Meteorological Department reported that temperature across the country would drop by 1-3 degrees Celsius and winds would be strong.

-- The Nation 2010-11-01