Flu outbreak takes cheer out of Christmas
Chances are that a large portion of those watching tonight’s newscast are doing so through watery eyes, distracted by aching joints and a throbbing headache. Well, Jacqueline Woods’ next story may not bring you immediate relief, but at least it offers the comfort that you’re not the only one suffering.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Looking around Belize it seems that almost everyone you meet either has had the flu, is recently recovered or fighting the onset of symptoms.
Dr. Miguel Rosado, Universal Health Services
“The virus that we are having at this moment is very contagious, especially among children and people working in closed offices with A.C. The spread is very, very easy and we have offices with many of their workers sick, or we have whole families with the problem.
Jacqueline Woods
Under these circumstances, it is difficult to avoid not catching the cold or flu. Both are passed on by close contact with someone who has the virus. The viruses spread through the air by coughing and sneezing, and by close personal contact; for example, touching your nose or eyes after shaking hands with a sick person.
Dr. Miguel Rosado
“Flu is a viral infection that is manifested by high fever, which would last for twenty-four, forty-eight hours. It can cause runny nose, sometimes cough, sneezing, malaise, but the life span is very short. So when we have a problem with it lasting more than four, five days, we know that the patient, apart from having a viral infection, has also a bacterial infection.”
If you have had the flu, then you know just how miserable these symptoms can make you feel. There are a variety of medications and remedies you can choose from to help you feel better. Though many of the products cost a lot of money, we did manage to find a couple of treatments whose cost is less harsh than the flu. Five years ago, the Drugs Wholesale Depot introduced the Flu and Cold Pak, and today it has become one of the fastest selling remedies on the market.
Dr. Alexander Usher, Chief Pharmacist, Central Drug Store
“We brought this product onto the market five or six years ago because we felt it was necessary to have a product that was produced in Belize to provide customers with a different variation of items instead of just having American or European products.”
The symptomatic treatment includes three pills. An antihistamine for the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose; an anti-inflammatory medication for the sore throat, and an added ingredient pill for fever and pain.
Dr. Alexander Usher
“The response has been very, very positive here in Belize. We have gone from selling just a few to selling literally thousands, tens of thousands every year.”
It is important to note that the product does not treat coughs nor prevent the infection from spreading. The latest treatment on the market is the flu shot. The injection, which is available at Universal Health Services, protects you for up to one year from acquiring the virus.
Dr. Miguel Rosado
“Especially in this season, and prevent the patient from manifesting the problem. It has a lasting effect of one year, so if you get a shot in March, you’ll be safe during the cold season in Belize and then you can receive the next shot the following March. So that will prevent the patient or the person from catching or having the flu. That will decrease the days of sick day leaves and it will help also in regards to people leaving work because they have the flu.”
The shot cost fifty dollars, which is less than you would pay for a doctor’s visit and medication. Rosado says that while it may appear as if there is an increase in flu, that is not the case.
Dr. Miguel Rosado
“I don’t think so. We have this problem on an annual basis, especially at the end of the year. We are talking about months like November, December, January, when the temperature is lower, when patients usually, or people are disposed to having the flu. We’re having a lot of patients with the influenza virus, we’re having common colds, so it can be a combination of viruses.”
Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
In case you want to administer your own flu pack, you can just take a combination of five hundred milligrams of Tylenol, two hundred milligrams of Ibuprofen and four milligrams of an antihistamine like Piriton. As for that flu shot, please be reminded that you have to take it before you get sick.
