IGMH warns against unnecessary hospital visits

The State-run Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), on Saturday, issued a public announcement warning against unnecessary hospital visits due to the spread of flu and chicken pox in Male’ City.

The warning was directed at particularly vulnerable groups; children, people who suffer from immunodeficiency disorders, and the elderly.

The warning also extends to people who show flu-like symptoms including fever, sneeze and cough, and people share a residence with a person suffering from chicken pox.

People who have no history of chicken pox or have not been administered the full two dozes of chicken pox vaccine remain a spread to the spread of the disease through their exposure to infected persons even though they themselves may not be exhibiting symptoms, warned IGMH.

IGMH has also urged several measures for personal protection against such diseases, and prevention of the further spread of such diseases. They are:

• Covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Frequent handwashing using soap and water or use of hand sanitizers.
• Avoiding touching eyes, mouth or nose without washing hands.
• Use of face masks under the guidance of health professionals when exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
• Proper disposal of used tissues and face masks.
• Getting administered the full dozes of influenza vaccine, chicken pox vaccine and MR vaccine under the guidance of health professionals.