Tengrinews.kz - The number of people infected with swine flu has sharply increased — in just one week, the number of people seeking medical help for viral illnesses in the Aktobe region has doubled, according to KTK.
The regional infectious diseases hospital now admits up to 120 patients daily with high fever, severe coughing, and headaches. Nearly half of them are hospitalized.
“There is an increase in flu cases. It should be noted that 793 patients have been tested for the flu virus and ARVI. Of these, 45 people have been laboratory-confirmed with the H1N1 flu, which is swine flu. A large portion of the patients are, of course, infants under one year old,” said Maiya Nurgalieva, deputy chief doctor of the Aktobe regional clinical infectious diseases hospital.
Currently, 67 patients are being treated for the flu and other cold-related diseases at the infectious diseases hospital. Of these, 55 are children, and 12 are pregnant women. Most of the hospitalized are young children under five, many of whom are admitted with complications.
Doctors warn that if flu is not treated in time, it can be quite dangerous. It often leads to bronchitis, pneumonia, and in severe cases, can even result in death.
"It is essential to consult specialists on time and never neglect the illness. Self-treatment is extremely dangerous. If flu is left untreated, it can lead to a severe form of pneumonia, which can have serious consequences," said Mukhtar Serbaev, deputy head of the sanitary-epidemiological control department of the Aktobe region.
According to doctors, the only effective way to protect oneself from the flu and other acute respiratory diseases is vaccination. Pregnant women can also receive the vaccine. Additionally, doctors advise avoiding crowded places and wearing masks. According to official data, in the past week, more than 12,000 residents in the region contracted acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI).
