An emergency medicine consultant has encouraged people to consider using Zoom or similar communication tools to stay in touch with vulnerable relatives over the Christmas period, in an effort to limit the spread of the flu virus.
Dr Ronan Murphy from University Hospital Kerry told RTÉ radio’s *News at One* that hospitals are already dealing with an early surge of a particularly severe flu strain, meaning the expected seasonal peak is arriving sooner than normal, reports Breaking News.
He said this was placing “significant strain” on the healthcare system. “I think it’s important to realise that it’s a time where people are coming home from overseas, perhaps congregating in areas with elderly members of the family sometimes as well, younger members of family, so a lot of mixing going on, so perfect conditions really for the spread of the virus”, reports Breaking News.
Dr Murphy added that the majority of people should be able to cope with flu symptoms at home, using basic measures such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and maintaining good fluid intake.
“We have strong immune systems as humans and we are able to tackle this, but there will be a percentage of patients who do require hospital admission. The message from my perspective as an emergency medicine physician, is that while the majority of these cases can be managed in the community, it is important to avoid the hospital, and certainly visiting the hospital with relatives, etc., to avoid spread,” reports Breaking News.
“If anyone has severe shortness of breath, chest pain, is looking unwell, with very high fevers, difficulty walking, confusion, drowsiness, many strange rashes, or signs of serious illness then they should present to be reviewed. And it may be the case that they could be discharged. The majority of cases would be that. But that we do keep an eye out for the rare serious complications of flu,” reports Breaking News.
“My advice to people really is looking after general health at Christmas. There are other ways to keep in touch with loved ones such as over Zoom or on video calls, etc. You know, we need to look after the most vulnerable people in our society, anyone who is high risk. I think it is prudent to keep your distance from them and use those other modalities,” reports Breaking News.
“But I think looking after our own health as well in terms of watching alcohol intake, salt intake, plenty of fresh air exercise. So we don’t want to decompensate any of our own underlying illnesses, which could land us into a hospital over the period. Additionally, of course, avoiding unnecessary risks such as perhaps being up ladders or speeding on roads, et cetera. So there’s lots we can do self-care-wise over the holiday season to make sure that we have a great time, but also don’t end up in an environment which is very, very concentrated with regard to flu, Covid, and RSV,” reports Breaking News.
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