DOHA: With a change in weather conditions, hospitals and clinics across the country have reported a surge in seasonal flu cases, while pharmacies have seen a high demand for several over-the-counter flu medicines.
Demand for cold and flu medications at pharmacies started increasing since last week and many people buy over-the counter medicines such as Paracetamol, Vitamin C, Strepsils and some types of syrups for cold and cough.
Demand for prescription drugs including antibiotics has also seen a similar increase.
Some customers claim that Zyrtec, a common drug used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or running nose is not available in some pharmacies.
“Since last week more than half of our daily customers have been asking for cold and flu medication. Some ask for medicines for mild fever and cold or cough while others buy antibiotics according to prescriptions,” said a pharmacist working in a pharmacy located in a leading shopping complex in Doha.
Another pharmacist said: “Some anti flu drugs move fast, especially those which people may buy over-the-counter like Zyrtec. As the drug are sold out quickly, there can be a temporary shortage until we get new stocks.”
He also said that sales of masks have also increased with the start of the “flu season.”
Cases of seasonal flu in Qatar increase as the temperatures fall in October and it will continue until the end of February.
Influenza, commonly known as the ‘flu,’ is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. The flu virus spreads from person to person through the inhalation of respiratory droplets from someone who is infected.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
High-risk category for the severe flu include small children under the age of five, pregnant women, those with chronic health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, asthma and other chronic lung conditions, people with cancer and those on immunosuppressive therapy and the elderly.
According to a private school teacher, at least 18 of 30 students in one class (grade three) had symptoms of seasonal flu on Thursday and three students were absent.
“Not many were having severe flu but running nose and cough. Some were having mild fever,” she said.
On Thursday afternoon many children and adults with flu symptoms were seen visiting private clinics, the Airport health centre and the Pediatric Emergency Center in Al Sadd.
“When a child is infected with viral fever, close proximity with other children results in faster transmission of the virus, resulting in several others being infected. The immunity in a child is much lower compared to an adult and the chance of being infected is extremely high. Closed environment is another reason for the spread of the infection,” said Dr V Mohammed Basha, Specialist Paediatrics at Aster Medical Centre.
Most health care providers have started giving vaccination against seasonal flu.
Some recommended taking a prior appointment before the vaccination, though sources at Doha Clinic, Aster Medical Centre, Al Emadi Hospital and Al Ahli hospital said anyone could just walk in to get the shot.
Anti-flu vaccination is available free of charge at primary health centres while it would cost more than QR200 at a private clinic or hospital. When contacted the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC)‘s hotline 107, they instructed to call the relevant health centre and get an appointment for anti flu vaccinations.
The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has started its annual influenza vaccination campaign for clinical and support staff who are also at a high risk of catching the flu.
