Doctors recommend facemasks amid new viral infection in Karachi

Doctors have advised masses to wear facemasks as hundreds of people in Karachi have been visiting government hospitals daily with cough, fever, cold, flu, and chest congestion symptoms due to the outbreak of a viral infection.

Most of them have tested positive for adenoviruses, a group of common viruses that infect airways and lungs, eyes, intestines, urinary tract, and nervous system in humans.

Adenoviruses can cause mild to severe illness, though serious illness is less common, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Registrar of Jinnah Hospital, Dr Halar Sheikh has warned of an increased risk of “adenovirus” infection in the city. This virus usually causes symptoms like cold, cough, fever, and other respiratory issues.

Medical professionals advised that individuals infected with adenovirus recover within 2-3 days. However, inadequate nutrition and negligence can increase the risk of developing pneumonia due to the virus.

To help prevent adenovirus infection, experts have advised extra caution for the elderly, as well as individuals with asthma or diabetes. This includes minimising handshakes and avoiding outside food.