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Viral fever spreading

By Our Medical Reporters
The spread of viral fever has reached high levels in and around the capital in recent days.
Experts largely Identify the ongoing humid and hot spell as one of the main reasons for the current outbreak. They also warn that this type of viral fever is highly contagious and, at times, can turn out to be fatal.
Experts say that the symptoms of viral fever can vary from a running nose, burning eyes and a headache to chest
congestion, nausea and high temperature accompanied by severe body pain
It appears that the ailment Is not localised tn any one par tieular area but 1s spread across the city.
Physicians from different areas agree that the outbreak of viral fever has increased sharply In recent weeks
Children and the old are most vulnerable to the Infection and In some cases even an entire family may be bed-rid -den for days together, they add.
What are the viruses that cause this fever? Dr Md Fazlul Haque. Associate Professor of Medicine at the Sir Sab mullah Medical College, says that three types of viruses — rhino, cco and adeno — coupled with a change In the weather and Influenza are primarily responsible for this fever.
I Ie •cautions that, in some cases, the fever may be fetal by affecting the brain leading to the death of the patient
Doctors are of the opinion that the treatment of this type of fever la always symptomatic and no antibiotic can provide adequate remedies.
National Professor Nurul Islam says that the use of antibiotics Is not Justified tn moot cases The Infection being viral tn nature, antibiotics do not have any beneficial effect except when there Is superimposed secondary' infection. he explains.
Notwithstanding the limitations of antibiotics in treating this fever, he regrets that physicians continue to prescribe it.
Ideally, he says, patients should increase their intake of fluids and nutrition and points out that there ta absolutely no restriction on diets
To control the temperature and for symptomatic relief, he advises the use of aspirin for those above twelve years of age and paracetamol for minors in prescribed portions.
However, the cautions that patients with a history of bleeding tendencies and peptic ulcer should avoid taking aspirins as It has a thinning effect on blood.
The incubation period — the interval between the tnfec-’ tion and the development of symptoms —of the virus, Professor Islam notes, may take between a few hours to four or five days.
The fever normally persists for four to five days while It can last for longer periods, he says, In which case patients should be referred to specialist physicians.
Those Infected by the virus should avoid close contact with other family members and use a handkerchief while coughing or sneezin so that others around them are not infected.
As preventive measures, Professor Islam recommends maintaining a clean environment at home, practicing good personal hygiene and eating a nutritionally balanced diet