Doctors prescribe caution on colours in season of swine flu

NASHIK: Doctors in the city have advised citizens to avoid crowded places and the use of water as they celebrate Rangpanchami in the wake of rising cases of swine flu.
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon Umesh Torne said people were more prone to viral infections, including swine flu, due to the drastic weather changes. “It is advised that use of chemical colours should be avoided as it may cause respiratory infection and disturb immunity, eventually increasing chances of the disease.People should play with colours in less-crowded areas,” he added.
Uma Bachhav, a city-based pediatrician, said, “It is necessary to maintain personal hygiene and if children are ill, they should not be sent to play colours or to school.”
Bachhav also advised vaccination for children. “H1N1 virus is an air-borne infection, and not directly linked to water-borne diseases. However, children are at more risk when they are in a crowd,” she said.
According to ayurvedic doctor Rahul Sawant, those with low immunity, like pregnant women, children below five years of age, patients with asthma, heart disease, diabetes should strictly avoid crowded places. “It is advisable to use water sparingly,” he added.
Meanwhile, ophthalmologist Ketan Merchant said that even shaking hands from affected person will increase the chances to get infected. “If a person has a runny nose or if someone spits or coughs at crowded place, the virus may spread,” he added.
Merchant said people should ensure that the colours do not enter the eyes. “If a person is resisting while applying colours on face, the nails may scratch or damage the eyeball. Also, water balloons which are popular should not be hit directly on the face and eye. One should also avoid rubbing eyes in case of irritation felt due to colour and use water to clean the eye,” he added.
While the district administration has not yet sounded caution about water scarcity, activists have appealed to people to conserve water this festive season. “The city and district administration is already observing the theme of green kumbh. There is going to be additional requirement of water for the event in July. We appeal to residents to use dry colours,” Rajesh Pandit of the Harit Kumbh Samanvay Samiti said.