Rise in flu-like cases reported

MANILA, Philippines — Patients admitted in medical facilities for flu-like symptoms are increasing as the rainy season continues, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. reported on Friday.

PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said hospitals are “mostly full due to the increase in patients with viral diseases prevalent this season.”

De Grano said they observe a 10-percent rise in the number of patients admitted in private hospitals for viral diseases during the third quarter, wherein rains due to typhoons are frequent.

“Those admitted are mostly children. Adults with flu-like symptoms usually don’t get confined,” De Grano said in an interview. “I can’t really say it is influenza because no tests are made, but it is classified as Sytemic Viral Infection – SVI is the general term but symptom-wise, it is flu.”

An SVI occurs when a virus spreads throughout the body, as opposed to being limited to a single organ or site of entry. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches.

De Grano said children with symptoms are confined in hospitals for at least four days, “unless there are complications like pneumonia (wherein patients have to) stay longer, or from one week to 12 days.”

Aside from the flu-like symptoms, De Grano said PHAPI is also seeing a resurgence of leptospirosis as rains and floods continue to affect the country.

“We expect that to happen within one or two weeks,” he added.

The Department of Health has been reminding the public that maintaining good hygiene practices is essential to limiting the spread of communicable diseases like the influenza-like illnesses.

Symptoms for this kind of illness include fever, cough, sore throat, colds, body aches and headaches.