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Doctors dismiss ‘new winter bug’ rumors
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CITY doctors have sought to reassure parents that there is not a new virulent winter vomiting bug affecting children.
This follows rumors on social media that a previously unknown strain of norovirus was spreading around China, particularly targeting children.
“There is no new digestive virus emerging in the nation,” said Dr Tang Xiaoping from Ren’ai Hospital pediatrics department.
“Norovirus is not a new virus. It’s active in winter and spring, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Children can have more serious symptoms than adults,” added Tang.
“The virus can affect people of all ages and usually clears up within two to three days, even without medication,” said the doctor.
Local hospitals have reported around 30 percent more patients in recent days, which has been attributed to recent weather and seasonal viruses.
Doctors said temperature fluctuations and polluted air can trigger asthma and leave children susceptible to colds, while this is also the peak for winter bugs.
Children’s hospitals and pediatric departments have reported being crowded with children suffering from colds, fever, asthma and diarrhea.
“We recently set a record of 8,600 out-patient and emergency patients a day, compared to usual numbers of 6,000 to 7,000 patients‚“ said Dr Lu Zhong, director of the outpatient department of the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University.
Lu said some of the children might have been better off staying at home.
“Many patients with light cold symptoms needn’t go to a large hospital. Parents can keep their children at home to rest or take them to nearby district-level hospitals.
“Going to crowded big hospitals exposes them to infection,” said Lu.
Increases in adult patients were also reported, with elderly people with cardiovascular disease particularly susceptible to cold weather.
“Our emergency department saw an increase in patients of around 30 percent in recent days, mainly elderly people suffering from heart disease, hypertension and pneumonia,” said Dr Zhao Yun, deputy director of Huadong Hospital’s emergency department.
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