Srinagar
As many as five deaths have occurred due to swine flu and there is constant increase in the number of patients visiting hospitals in Kashmir, which is witnessing a dry cold spell for past one month.
Hospital sources said five deaths have so far been reported due to swine flu. There is increase in number of such cases which is becoming a cause of concern for the people of valley.
Meanwhile, doctors advised patients suffering with the disease not to resort to antibiotics but use of antiviral drugs which is an important weapon to fight this season’s flu.
“Doctors in Kashmir valley prescribe antibiotics for swine flu even though it is caused by a virus against which antibiotics have no effect”, said Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK).
It said swine flu is a viral infection that is not helped by taking antibiotics.
“Despite antibiotics do not works against flu, clinicians continue to dole out unnecessary antibiotics for flu patients,” it said
He said often people go to a doctor with runny nose, sore throat or cough and walk away with a prescription for antibiotics. They have a misconception that antibiotics help get over flu more quickly.
He said use of antibiotics for flu is not only “inappropriate” but also puts patients at risk for antibiotic-resistant infections.
“Not only the improper use has helped the microbes to evolve into resistant bugs, but patients are needlessly put at risk of serious adverse effects of antibiotics,” Dr Nisar said.
He added misuse of antibiotics wipes out body’s good bacteria that are contributing to the rise in chronic conditions like obesity, asthma and cancer.
