INFLUENZA.

Otaki Mail, 1 August 1923, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

KOW TO AVOID INFECTION. •ariNV ICE taiC L_ii AiA'i iilhiN Y OF ! HEALTH. j;. i'j i.u ••••./ alarmed at Ute eases uf influenza locally, tlie Department of Health, iu view of the prevalence ol Iniiuenza in Otago and (JantOii.uiry, reoummenus toe following Lui \ n -: — Those who are aide to do so will •limliii.vh their chaaeo uf coniraei:ug Hie disease by Keeping" away from all places of public resort, indoors and all evo wde d conveyances. All chilling of the body surface should be prevented. A simple throat gargle for ordinary use can Oe made by adding 20 drops ox liquor sodae chlonnatae to a tumbler of warm water. A solution of common table salt, one teaspoonful to a pint of warm water, to which is added j 'enough permanganate of potash ( G’ondy \s crystals) to give the liquid a ught pink, cojiour is suitable either as a gargle or for washing the nasal passages. For the latter, a iitlie of the liquid may be poured into the lioliow palm of the hand, or into a small shallow receptacle, and sniffed or drawn up the nostrils. Throat gargling and nose washing* are recommended night and morning, or mure frequently, as preventive measures. Staying* at work after the iirst symptoms appear is bad fur the patient, and | may be dangerous to others. Workers obviously ill should at oneo be sent or taken home. At the iirst feeling oi itiitess or rise of temperature, the patient should go to bed, keep warm, and seek medical treatment. The early stages of an attack are the most infective, but infection may persist throughout 'the illness. The patient should remain in bed at least until the temperature is normal. If the patient- cannot occupy a separate room the head of his bed should, ii possible, be screened off from the rest of the npai tiii'ieni. Key!apses (a nd complica lion are much less likely to occur if the patient goes to bed at once and j remains there till all fever has gone fur two or three days. .Much harm may bt- done by getting about too ..•arly. Chili and over exertion during con \ aieseeni. c are fruitful of evil consequeence*. The virus of influenza is very easily destroyed, and extensive measures ol disinfection are not called fur. Discarded handkerchiefs should fie immediately placed in disinfectants, or, if of paper, burnt. Tite liability of the immediate attendants to infection may be naturally diminished by avoiding inhalation of the patient \s breath, and part icularly when he i* coughing, sneezing, ur talking. A htiuilkfichiol' or other screen shuukl im lieUl lierorc- the month, anti tku llfffit turned aside during coughing and sneezing. The risk of conveyance ol infect ion by the lingers must be constantly remembered, and the hands should be washed at once, after contact with the patient or with mucus from the nose or throat. The patient’s recovery should be tully established before he returns to work.