Doctors Association kashmir.

18/11/2023

17/11/2023

17/11/2023

Antiviral drugs reduce risk of flu deaths: DAK

Srinagar, Nov 17: With surge in number of flu cases in Kashmir valley, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday urged doctors to prescribe antiviral drugs for flu patients.

“Antiviral medication reduces risk of flu deaths,” said influenza expert and DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Quoting a large study, he said early treatment with antiviral medication reduces the risk of flu death by 60 percent.

Dr Hassan said clinicians should prescribe antiviral medication to flu patients as early as possible and should not wait for the lab test results as delay could be fatal.

“Flu antivirals work best for treatment when they are started within two days of onset of illness,” he said.

“However, starting them later can still be helpful,” he added.

The DAK President said antiviral treatment is recommended for any patient with confirmed or suspected flu who is hospitalized or has severe progressive illness or is at higher risk of developing flu-related complications. People at high risk of complications include children, elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions.

Antivirals can also be considered on the basis of clinical judgment for those who do not have risk for severe illness.

“Currently, oseltamivir is the most effective antiviral drug for all circulating flu viruses which includes H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B viruses,” he said, adding “the drug can be safely given to pregnant women and infants aged 2 weeks and older.”

Dr Nisar said despite antiviral flu medications save lives, they are unfortunately under prescribed.

“Clinicians commonly prescribe antibiotics to patients with flu which is not only inappropriate but also puts patients at risk of antibiotic-resistant infections,” he said.

13/11/2023

12/11/2023

Pneumococcal vaccine reduces pneumonia deaths: DAK on world pneumonia day

Srinagar, Nov 12: On world pneumonia day, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Sunday said pneumococcal vaccine reduces risk of dying from pneumonia.

“Pneumococcal vaccine prevents pneumonia deaths,” said influenza expert and DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Quoting a study, Dr Hassan said pneumococcal vaccine was found to reduce the risk of death from pneumonia by 59% among elderly people.

“The study also revealed that vaccine reduces the risk of getting pneumonia by 45%,” he said.

The benefits of pneumococcal vaccine are impressive in children too. The vaccine has been found to decrease the mortality among young children by up to 30%,” DAK President quoted another study.

He said pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death. It is especially fatal in elderly, young children and those with underlying chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung, liver and kidney disease.

“The most frequent cause of pneumonia in children and elderly is pneumococcus, a bacterial infection which is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets of the infected person. And, the single best way to prevent the infection is through vaccination,” he said.

Dr Nisar said pneumonia is an infection where tiny air sacs in your lungs (alveoli) become inflamed. This can lead to symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

“Elderly people can manifest with atypical symptoms like feeling weak or experiencing confusion or delirium. In them pneumonia can be more difficult to recognize which can potentially result in a delay in diagnosis and treatment,” he said.

“Every year on November 12, world pneumonia day is observed to spread awareness and educate people to combat this serious, potentially life-threatening lung infection,” he added.

10/11/2023

Patients shiver with cold, DAK urges JK admin to start heating system in Kashmir hospitals

Srinagar, Nov 10: Urging Jammu and Kashmir (JK) administration to start heating system in Kashmir hospitals, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said patients are shivering with cold as heating systems of hospitals have not been started yet.

With temperatures dipping, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said patients face huge inconvenience as heating systems of hospitals are not operational yet.

Dr Hassan said lack of heating in hospitals is putting the lives of patients at risk.

“Cardiac and Stroke patients in hospitals are at increased risk of death as cold thickens blood and constricts the arteries,” he said.

“Even the condition of Asthmatics and patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases worsens in hospitals because of cold conditions,” he added.

The DAK President said the cold conditions in hospitals increase the risk of expectant mothers having premature delivery.

“Children and elderly are especially prone to hypothermia that can lead to respiratory and cardiac dysfunction and even death,” he said.

Dr Nisar said it is difficult for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to work in cold conditions especially during night hours when temperatures fall sharply.

“The majority of the peripheral hospitals are without inbuilt central heating systems and they rely on traditional heaters without vent which do more harm than good to patients,” he said.