January 17, 2009
Bangkok (ASTV Manager Online) – Thai people were warned of flu and pneumonia during winter. The number of patients based on these two kinds of disease rose over 48,000 in 2008.
Dr. Praj Boonyavongviroj, permanent-secretary for public health, said people have developed respiratory diseases due to cold weather in Thailand.
He added that people had to pay close attention to flu and pneumonia caused by viruses because they were fatal.
Risk groups include those who develop diseases such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney and AIDS.
The number of pneumonia and flu patients was totally 48,781 during November 2007-February 2008. 287 people were dead.
90 percent of dead people and the patients developed pneumonia.
Flu symptoms will appear in 1-4 days after being infected. Patients will recover in 1-2 weeks, or symptoms will become more severe.
Symptoms include head-ache, shivering, fatigue, coughing, sneezing and sore throat.
Pneumonia is caused by viruses and bacteria. The death of 19 percent of children aged under five years was caused by pneumonia.
Peak time of pneumonia is during the rainy season and winter. The highest number of patients was found in the north.
