Seasonal flu cited as patient visits to Sittwe health clinics rise

By DMG 28 Oct 2021

DMG Newsroom
28 October 2021, Sittwe

The number of patients visiting clinics in the Arakan State capital Sittwe has risen this month, with healthcare personnel citing the seasonal flu as Covid-19 infections in the state continue to decline.

Dr. Myo Nyunt, a physician at the Waibula clinic in Sittwe, told DMG that influenza is most prevalent during the period between the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of winter, and spreads faster among those who are immunocompromised.

“The flu is not [typically] risky for the lives of patients, but it is dangerous for a patient if they suffer from pneumonia while they are weak after being infected with the flu,” he said.

Influenza symptoms and corresponding treatment regimens generally run three to 10 days, depending on the strength of an individual’s immune system, doctors said.

Dr. Myo Nyunt works half-days at Waibula clinic, and this month has seen an average of five patients with the flu per shift, he said.

Individuals more susceptible to contracting the flu and experiencing more severe symptoms include those who do not get enough sleep or consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, muscle and joint pain, difficulty sleeping and sore throat.

Dr. U Kyaw Khaing from Sittwe said more than 10 patients with the flu visited his clinic on an average day this month.

“The seasonal flu does not break out annually. It occurs alternately every year, or once in three years. The number of patients with flu this year is higher than last year,” Dr. U Kyaw Khaing said.

The arrival of flu season comes as memories are still fresh of Myanmar’s healthcare system overwhelmed by a third wave of Covid-19 that began in late May, though daily coronavirus infections have been steadily declining since the end of July.

Doctors suggest wearing face masks to reduce the likelihood of being infected with or spreading the flu, as well as making sure to get enough sleep and maintain a well-balanced diet.