Information centre opened for Public Health Dept
The Department of Public Health has opened an information centre in the city to educate the public on the various types of diseases that could break out during monsoon.The 24-hour cell, established at the office of the Deputy Director of Health Services on Race Course Road, can be accessed on phone number: 0422-2210351.Apart from obtaining information on the diseases, the public could also call the cell to inform it of cases in their areas.A press release from the office said on Saturday that the cell would explain the symptoms of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and leptospirosis.The release explained some of the symptoms in order to tell the public that they should get early and accurate treatment. If people had fever, pain and swelling in the joints, it could be chikungunya. Fever, body pain and bloody rashes on the shoulder were symptoms of dengue.Fever and shivering for more than three days were indications of malaria.People could be suffering from leptospirosis if they had both fever and symptoms of jaundice. Some of the symptoms of brain fever were high fever, severe headache, loss of consciousness. Fever with cough and cold could be cases of viral fever or early symptoms of tuberculosis.People experiencing fever should go to hospitals immediately and undergo blood tests to determine the kind of disease and begin the treatment.The Health department warned people against approaching quacks. There was no vaccination to prevent these diseases.Efforts by the Government agencies alone would not be sufficient to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that carried the viruses that caused dengue and chikungunya. People had a significant role to play in eliminating breeding grounds such as stagnant fresh water and help in the prevention of the diseases.
