Dr Khaled Al-Nimr, a cardiologist and catheter consultant, explained that acute flu can increase heart enzymes and cause chest pain, suppression and irregular heartbeat, so one should go to the nearest emergency room.
Al-Nimr indicated that everyone can get the seasonal flu vaccination, especially patients with heart and arteries, the elderly, kidney failure, diabetes, asthma, immunodeficiency, and children aged 6 months to 5 years.
He stressed that the more severe the influenza burden in adults in terms of symptoms, temperature and severity of illness, the greater the amount of viruses excreted and therefore the possibility of infection to others, emphasizing that the daily intake of vitamin C in the winter season does not prevent a cold or the flu.
He reported that the flu patient spreads the virus around him around 180cm with normal breathing, while sneezing spreads it to a greater distance, as the infection is transmitted through contact, talking with the patient, coughing and sneezing .
Al-Nimr said seasonal flu symptoms include a high temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, chills, sweating, headache, constant dry cough, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and body aches.
He warned of complications, which include inflammation of the lungs, ear bronchi, asthma, heart problems, blood poisoning and death.
The official spokesman of the Ministry of Health, Muhammad al-Abd al-Aali confirmed the day before yesterday (Saturday) that seasonal flu activity these days may be stronger than in previous seasons and that an increase in the number of infected people have been monitored in emergency departments, warning that the repercussions could lead to death.
He underlined the importance of tackling this virus with preventive methods, the most important of which is the intake of the seasonal flu vaccine, as it protects by 80% from severe symptoms and reduces critical cases, in addition to the need to adopt all preventive measures by wearing a mask and maintaining sufficient distance between the patient and others.
