Health bureau warns workers of flu bug
Sunday, Feb 01, 2009
People returning to work tomorrow should beware of catching the flu, doctors said yesterday as health department statistics showed that the primary sicknesses afflicting those who visit hospital when normal clinical service reopens after the Lunar New Year holiday include acute upper respiratory tract infection (also known as the common cold), gastroenteritis, high blood pressure and allergic reactions.
“Over the new year holiday, overconsumption and irregular bedtimes are common,” Bureau of National Health Insurance section chief Wang Ben-ren (???) said. “Combined with the cold weather, many develop upper respiratory tract sicknesses.”
Doctors warned that because many people contract the flu virus before the Lunar New Year, when office workers return to work, the more frequent human interactions could spark an increase in the number of people coming down with the flu.
“Flu symptoms include sore throat, fever and soreness all over the body,” said Huang Wei-hsin (???), a family medicine physician at Mackay Memorial Hospital. “Over the holidays, the number of patients affected with the flu has risen significantly.”
Huang said because many people take a long time to recuperate from the flu, by the time they go into the office, they may still have not healed and could infect others with the virus. He advised those who have flu symptoms to immediately see a doctor and stay home to avoid infecting others.
The bureau also advises those who are traveling or spending time outdoors to keep warm in the cold weather.
Source :http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/02/01/2003434955
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