HEALTH

Dry spell leads to various infections
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — With the dry spell of cold weather prolonging, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of upper respiratory tract infections in various hospitals and dispensaries in the city as compared to the corresponding period last year.

A visit to a few dispensaries revealed that 40-50 cases with such infections are being reported every day. The common symptoms of these patients are fever, body ache, running nose and cough. This has been found to be more common among school children or even kids. Doctors are of the view that sudden exposure to the change in temperature causes these infections.

One of the medical specialists maintains that these infections are seasonal and such cases are reported when it does not rain for long, and the dust aggravates the problem. Most of the doctors maintain that to begin with they give the patients anti-allergic tablets. However, if the cough persists for long and if the fever is high, they give antibiotics for five days. This therapy is followed in case of bronchial problems where the viral infection becomes severe and percolates to the lower respiratory tract from the nose and throat. They also recommend multi-vitamins like vitamin C and Zevit along with antibiotics to reduce chances of infection.

The Deputy Medical Superintendent of General Hospital, Sector 16, Dr G. Diwan, has a word of caution for those who wish to stay away from upper respiratory tract infections. He said regular steaming should be given, particularly to children under the supervision of elders. Avoid exposure to sudden change in temperature, keep the body adequately warm by wearing proper woollens, do regular gargles, avoid eating oily food from outside and consult the doctor in case of fever instead of self-medication. He maintains that it is essential to check the upper respiratory infections, for if left unchecked they can lead to severe lower respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

Doctors at the Sector 32 GMCH also recommend that people ought to take good care of themselves in these months.

Those driving two-wheelers during early hours or late evenings should wear proper helmets and cover their faces properly to avoid cold. Even women should keep their feet warm and ensure regulated blood circulation.

General dryness and pollution caused by such weather also leads to an increase in skin infections, particularly dryness on the face, lips and cracks on the feet. The rush in the OPD of the Sector 22 Polyclinic during the past few days is an indication in this regard. The incidence is more among the labourers who don't have bath for days together and get scabbies. In a few other cases black patches occur on the legs due to exposure to direct heat of the fire, besides pollution caused by its smoke. However, even in people from the higher strata fungal infections in arm pits, etc are being reported due to excessive use of thermals and woollen pyjamas. Dryness also leads to seborrhea in the hair.

The OPDs of the Advanced Paediatric Centre, PGI, and Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, are also receiving a few such cases every day. Cases of diahorrea in children less than two years of age are also being reported due to the infection caused by rota virus. Private practitioners in the city have also reported an increase in the incidence of these infections, both in adults and children. The docors opine that sinositus and other infections would clear off once it rains.

Hepatitis-B vaccine launched
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — The Biological E. Limited launched a vaccine for Hepatitis-B here today. The vaccine, BEWAC, will cost Rs 100 against other vaccines costing more than Rs 350.

Experts said Hepatitis-B was becoming a serious problem. There are more than 350 million patients of the disease globally. India with more than 43 million patients has become the second largest nation with the infected population. The disease is the second largest killer after tobacco smoking.

According to the experts, more than 122 million babies are born each year who are at a substantial risk of becoming chronic carriers of the disease.

In the past decade, the number of patients in India has increased, while it has declined in other developing nations.

Dr V.K. Kak, Director Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, said once again the medical science was moving towards the ancient method of herbal treatment for Hepatitis-B.

AIDS study favours sex education
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — Suninder Kaur Sodhi, a student of the Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, has recently completed her research thesis on "AIDS and Adolescents - A study of attitudes, awareness, beliefs, conceptions, misconceptions among girl students of Chandigarh, India."

The research work focussed on the level of awareness and attitude of adolescent girls studying in high schools (Classes XI and XII) with regard to AIDS. The work was done under the supervision of Dr Shalini Mehta, Reader, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University.

The sample consisted of more than 1,000 respondents from both government and private schools who filled the questionnaire consisting of more than 200 questions dealing with the lifestyle of teens, opinion about marriage, attitude towards the opposite sex, dating practices, exposure to media, knowledge about AIDS, source of information on AIDS, behaviour towards persons with AIDS and preventive measures. Later, 310 respondents were administered the intervention package, developed on the basis of the results obtained from the first part of the study.The package was administered verbally, using audio-visual aids and printed matter was distributed among students dealing with issues related to AIDS, including history of the disease, progress of the disease, signs and symptoms, tests and treatment and prevention measures.

An analysis of the data revealed that awareness level of students of private schools was higher than those of the government schools. Similarly, misconceptions on such issues as AIDS is hereditary or that condom use does not lessen the chances of getting AIDS, were also more among the students of government schools.

Based on the findings, certain conclusions and inferences were drawn. First and foremost being that school programmes/classroom study should be started to impart sex education/family health education to adolescents before they enter risk behaviour. There should be "Information houses" within approachable distance, with counsellors present for guidance. Counsellors in schools are a must. Telecounselling services should be started. Media and communication resources should be strengthened. It was also felt that regular repetition of information and dire consequences of high risk behaviour and practices is a must to moderate human behaviour. Every section of society should join hands to coordinate efforts in curtailing the spread of AIDS.

SPORT

Neha, Tushar, Sanam win titles
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 9 — Neha Singh in girls (under-16), Tushar Liberhan in boys (under-14) and Sanam Krishan Singh in boys (under-12) emerged winners in the Lake Cup Open Tennis Tournament, which concluded at Lake Club courts here today.

More than 130 participants took part. The UT Sports Department had taken the step of conducting this kind of tournament after every two months. The next leg will be held in March.

The prizes were distributed by Mr S.M. Sharma, DIG (Punjab). Winners in each section were awarded Rs 1000 each, while runners-up got Rs 500 each.

In the girls’ final, Neha defeated her sister Simer 6-3, 6-3. In boys’ under-14 final, Tushar Liberhan beat Ardaman Sidhu 6-2, 7-5. In boys’ under-12 final, Sanam K. Singh defeated Kinshuk Sharma 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Results — girls: under-16: quarterfinals: Neha Singh b Isha Toor 6-1, 6-0; Manisha Malhotra b Sanya Judge 6-1, 6-3; Khushleen Kaur b Amanpreet Kaur 6-2, 6-3; Simer Singh b Bahar Paul 6-1, 6-1; semi-finals: Neha Singh b Manisha Malhotra 6-0, 6-2; Simer b Khushleen Kaur 6-1, 6-4; final: Neha Singh b Simer 6-3, 6-3.

Boys: under-12: quarterfinals: Sanam K. Singh b Gursher Singh; Pritam Singh b Prabhat Mallik; Simarveer Singh b Shiva Sangwan; Kinshuk b Abhinav Singla; semi-finals: Sanam K. Singh b Pritam Singh 6-1, 6-0; Kinshuk Sharma b Simarveer Singh 6-0, 6-1; final: Sanam K. Singh b Kinshuk Sharma 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Boys: under-14: semi-finals: Tushar Liberhan b Yuvraj Chaudhary 6-4, 6-1; Ardaman Sidhu b Rohan Bhandari 6-0, 6-1; finals; Tushar Liberhan b Ardaman Sidhu 6-2, 7-5.

LIC XI win: A superb knock of 126 runs in 68 deliveries by Amarjit Kumar enabled LIC XI beat Central Bank of India team by 90 runs in the Inter-Financial/Bank Employees Cricket Tournament, being held at DAV College, Sector 10. Teams from LIC of India, Central Bank of India, Canara Bank, United India Insurance Company, HSIDC, Oriental India Insurance Company, Punjab Financial Corporation and New India Assurance Company are taking part in the tournament.

Brief scores — LIC-240 runs for two wickets in 25 overs (Amarjit Kumar 126 n.o., Gautam Mohan 65 n.o., Anil Arya 25, Kuldeep Kaul 20); Central Bank-150 runs for eight wickets (Sanjay Bhatia 62, Sanjay Sareen 40, Amarjit Kumar 2 for 38, Anil Arya 2 for 26, Ashwani Sharma 2 for 27, Gundeepak 2 for 34).

In another match, Canara Bank defeated United India Insurance Company by 30 runs.

High Court win: In the BS Duggal Memorial Cricket Tournament, being played at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, High Court XI beat Mcdowell XI by 5 runs.

Batting first, High Court team scored 203 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 25 overs. Gundeep Rana was the highest scorer with 60 runs, while Rajinder scored 35 runs, Raj Kumar scored 29 runs and Vikas scored 24 runs. In reply, Mcdowell XI were all out for 198 runs in 24 overs. Amit scored 29 runs, while Ajay Bakshi and Sonu Sharma scored 28 runs each.

in another match, Bedi XI defeated Chandigarh Blues Club by 12 runs. Bedi XI batted first and scored 196 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 25 overs. In reply, Chandigarh Blues Club could score 184 runs for the loss of seven wickets.