Qatar’s healthcare experts advise public on ways to prevent viral respiratory infections
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in collaboration with the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation, (PHCC) launched a public awareness campaign for people to protect themselves from viral respiratory infections including seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Covid-19.
It is very common for people to get sick from viral respiratory infections during this time of the year, said Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, who heads HMC’s Infectious Diseases department.
“As temperatures drop and winter respiratory viruses circulate more widely in the community, it’s important people take action to reduce their risk of getting infected.”
“While anyone can catch flu, RSV or Covid-19, certain population groups are at higher risk of developing more severe symptoms. It includes people who’re over 50, suffers from chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children, particularly aged below five,” said Dr Al Khal.
Symptoms of flu, RSV, and Covid-19 can be similar and include fever, cough, sore throat, nasal discharge, body aches, headaches and occasional shortness of breath.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should stay at home to reduce the risk of infecting others. If the symptoms are severe, individuals should seek medical help from the nearest primary health centre.
MoPH’s Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Dr Hamad Al Romaihi said there were simple steps people could follow to protect themselves from these common respiratory infections.
“Flu, RSV, and Covid-19 all spread in similar ways, so it’s important people adhere to basic infection prevention and control measures to protect themselves and others. This includes reducing contact with people who exhibit symptoms like coughing or sneezing, keeping your hands clean with regular hand washing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and making sure you properly dispose of used tissues immediately after use.”
“One should also get vaccinated every year against flu and Covid-19. School children with symptoms of respiratory infections should avoid going to school while they’ve active symptoms to protect their classmates from the infection.”
Dr Al Romaihi added that vaccines for flu and Covid-19 were safe, effective and supported by extensive research studies. He encouraged high-risk individuals to get vaccinated.
PHCC’s Manager of Health Protection at the Preventive Health Directorate Dr Khalid Hamid Elawad said influenza and Covid-19 vaccines were provided to all residents of Qatar free of charge.
“Influenza vaccines are available at more than 90 healthcare facilities across Qatar, including 31 PHCC health centres, outpatient clinics at HMC hospitals, and more than 45 semi-governmental and private hospitals and clinics. Covid-19 vaccines are available at all 31 PHCC health centres,” he said.
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