DANGER OF “FLU”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 15

DANGER OF “FLU”

COMBATIVE MEASURES PERIL OF COMPLICATIONS (Contributed by the Health Department.) ITow to avoid catching “flu,” or if the disease lias been contracted, how j to combat it, forms the subject of the! following article by the Health. Department : This disease begins like a cold. There may be pains in the head, eyes and limbs, a watery discharge from the nose, chilly sensations, sore throat, cough and extreme muscular prostration. There may also be abdominal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and cramps. There is fever, which varies according to the intensity of the disease. There are many varieties of the disease, and any organ of the body may be attacked. Pneumonia is a frequent complication. At the first feeling of illness or rise of temperature, the patient should go to bed, keep warm, and seek medical treatment. Relapses and complications are much less likely to occur if the patient goes to bed at once and remains there till all fever has gone for two or three days: much harm may be done by getting about too early. Chill and over-exertion during convalescence are fruitful of evil consequences. Influenza is a highly infectious disease, and the avoidance of infection is difficult. There are certain precautions, however, which, if undertaken, should reduce the liability both of acquiring and spreading infection. SOME PRECAUTIONS See that your rooms are airy and well ventilated at all times. During influenza prevalence avoid all conditions of crowding, and thus reduce the liability of coming into close contact with those who may be “incubating" or carrying the disease or who have “colds.” Do not cough or sneeze without protecting the moutli with a handkerchief. Do not unnecessarily visit those suffering from influenza. Do not try to “work off” the disease, but stay at home and go to bed. Remain In the fresh air as much as possible, and avoid the crowded tramcars, trains and buses. Use gargle and nose-douche twice daily. WHEN ATTACKED Go to bed and keep warm; stay there until the doctor gives permission to get up. Isolation of the patient, from the rest of the household should be practised. All discharge from the nose should be received into cloths, which should be burned. Sterilise all handkerchiefs by boiling. All patients’ dishes should be “scalded,” or, if possible, “boiled.” The hands both of the attendant and the patient should receive scrupu lous attention. Only one member of household should attend patient. Other members of the household and the attendant should frequently gargle the throat and douche the nose. Visiting should be prohibited. Remember that the chief danger of influenza lies in the complications, and that these complications arise chiefly as the result of carelessness, such as not going to bed soon enough, getting up too soon, and reducing the bodily resistance by exposure to cold and wet. Over-exertion in the convalescent period is also dangerous. The folio-wing gargles and nosedouches are useful: Add a tablespoonful of compound glycerine of thymol to a tumblerful of ■warm water.

Dissolve half a teaspoonful of common salt in a tumblerful of warm water, and add sufficient permanganate of potash, or Condy’s crystals to give a light pink colour.