BENGALURU: Brace for the cold during the last few days of this year and the first few of the next, as minimum temperatures are set to plummet. Officials say this is due to the Northerly winds.
With these warning of a cold wave sweeping the city in the coming days, the Health Department has intensified its screening activity for H1N1 infection.
“Due to the Northerly winds in the atmosphere during winter, it will be cold and as the minimum temperature dips further, early mornings will get foggier and colder,” an Indian Meteorological Department official said.
The official also said that in the city, the cold pattern will continue up to the second week of January, that is, even after Sankranthi fog and cold will greet you in the early mornings.
All-time Record in December The department said all-time records for the lowest temperature are set in December in the city. In the last 10 years, 11.8 degree minimum on December 25 in 2007 was the lowest temperature in that month.
On December 25 this year, the minimum temperature recorded was 15 degree Celsius and maximum was 28
degree Celsius.
In 1883, the city recorded 8.9 degree celsius minimum on December 29.
Last year, on December 26, the city recorded a minimum of 14 degree Celsius and 27 degree C maximum, on December 27, it was 14 degree minimum and 27 degree maximum, on December 28 it was 19 degree C minimum and 23 degrees C maximum.
On December 30, 17 degree C was minimum and 26 degrees C was maximum. On December 31, 18 degree C was minimum and 29 degree C was maximum.
H1N1 Screening The Health Department has intensified its monitoring programme to tackle winter-based health conditions, especially the killer infection H1N1. “We have issued a circular and asked all the district health officers and district surgeons to screen patients even for normal flu and cold. No symptoms like cough, wheezing, fever, headache and sore throat should be ignored. All patients with such conditions should be catogorised in A,B,C range as per government of India guidelines and be treated accordingly,” said G M Vamadeva, State Health Director.
Dr Sashidhar Buggi, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease (RGICD), said that last month the institution had witnessed 111 cases of respiratory infections, of which 20 were serious with pneumonia. The institute subjected these 20 patients for sputum test, in which, five were confirmed for H1N1.
“Among those with H1N1 condition, three survived and two died. All these cases were referred by other hospitals and had come at last stage,” said Dr Buggi.
He said during the cold wave, respiratory infections shoot up and cases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and asthma also increase during this season as infectious viruses become more active in the cold season. He said it was only by practising personal hygiene that one can recover fast and even prevent one can get fast recovery and also be prevented from such infections.
Precautions Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands with soap frequently. Be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Wear a face mask during epidemics and do not reuse the mask. Get to the hospital
immediately if your symptoms are severe.
[We have asked all the district health officers and district surgeons to screen patients even for normal flu and cold
G M Vamadeva,State Health Director
DOs AND DON’T s for SWINE FLU
H1N1 disease/ swine flu/ influenza is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus - Influenza type A, known to cause pandemics (disease occurring globally).
How does it spread?
Influenza spreads mainly by droplets when people cough, sneeze or talk. Less often, touching surfaces or infected material contaminated by the virus and then touching your own mouth, eye, nose. It is not transmitted from eating pork products. If symptoms such as high fever, dry or runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, bodyache, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are observed, do approach your doctor.
For Asthma Patients
Similarly during cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma should be especially careful in winter. Top Tip: Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you do go out, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medications, and keep rescue inhalers close by and in a warm place. Flu is another major concern during winter and mainly effects vulnerable people like children, the aged and people with long-term health conditions. The best way to prevent flu is to have the flu jab (or flu nasal spray for children aged 2 to 18).