Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Winter calls for greater care of the elderly

M. Dinesh Varma

Influenza, which thrives in temperate weather, causes health risk Those with underlying diseases such as chest ailments, asthma, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer or kidney diseases, are at high risk

VACCINATION: Elderly persons get themselves vaccinated against the potentially dangerous influenza virus at a camp held by the Senior Citizens' Bureau on Saturday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Winter preparedness for the elderly may not be only about protective pullovers or flannels but should rather involve getting oneself immunised against the highly communicable influenza virus (flu).

Contrary to its benign image, influenza which thrives in temperate weather can pose moderate to serious health risk for the elderly population.

The common types of influenza are A and B and there are vaccines available that provide one-year-long immunity against both types with a single-shot injection.

Flu, which is often mistaken for common cold, can cause serious consequences for the elderly in whom resistance is naturally low. Those with underlying diseases such as chest ailments, asthma, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer or kidney diseases, were at high risk, said V. S. Natarajan, geriatrician and chairman of Senior Citizen's Bureau.

When these patients are infected by flu, the underlying condition gets aggravated leading to hospitalisation.Dr. Natarajan recommends vaccination as the best protection against the potentially troublesome influenza. Effective vaccines for influenza are available in the market. Even an imported version which could cost around Rs. 600 per shot could be cost-effective if taken against the treatment/hospitalisation costs that a potential infection could entail.

The Bureau organised a vaccination camp for the elderly at Kumaran Hospital on Saturday. About 100 persons registered for the vaccination.

WHO on an influenza pandemic: Likely shortage of vaccines, antiviral agents and antibiotics to treat secondary infections and could be unequally distributed.

Medical facilities could be overwhelmed.

Widespread illness may result in sudden and potentially significant shortages of personnel to provide essential community services.

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