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Doctors Advocate Caution against Flu

Doctors advise that self-monitoring and personal hygiene are the only ways to avoid contracting the H1N1 virus.

Though the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Ministry of Health have not put out specific guidelines on the disease for commuters, doctors say that people with H1N1 symptoms should avoid using the service. They also add that the launch of the Metro is a historic event and people should be able to enjoy it rather than panic about the infection.

“Coming up to one-and-a-half foot to three feet near an infected person can put someone at risk of contracting the virus, therefore it is advisable that anybody with flu-like symptoms should not use public transport,” says Dr Atul Anant, General Practitioner, Dr Moopens Al Quoz Medical Centre.

Dr Anant says that since the virus is not airborne, people can travel with ease in closed rail compartments. “The virus can only be transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which releases droplets containing the virus into the air,” he explains.

Other symptoms of the disease include, high fever, body ache, runny nose, headaches, chills, fatigue or extreme tiredness, diarrhoea and vomiting. “Self-imposed quarantine is better than being forced into one,” he adds.

Dr Manisha Phadke, General Practitioner at Belhoul Specialty Hospital who quotes the adage ‘Prevention is better than cure’ says that washing hands regularly is the best way to avoid catching the infection.

She explains that infected droplets remain contagious for until two hours.

“Using the toiletries on the trains and washing your hands frequently is one of the best ways to prevent contracting the infection,” she adds. She added that use of hand sanitisers or three-layered face masks can also help. Dr Phadke also advises all people to follow the instructions on increasing their immunity levels by eating well-cooked foods and avoiding frozen and refrigerated foodstuffs.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.ae

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