Ways to prevent viral fever

The number of patients of viral fever is increasing these days. Viral fever refers to a broad spectrum of conditions where viral infections are associated with elevation of body temperature. The term encompasses a wide variety of viral infections, some of which can be clearly identified by symptoms. These infections may show generalised symptoms, but can target specific organs.

Headache, body ache and skin rashes characterise most viral infections.

These may affect any age group and are seen world-wide. These require only symptomatic treatment. Some are highly contagious. Most of these are not dangerous and self-limited, but some can progress rapidly and lead to death.

Once the virus enters the body, there is an incubation period during which virus multiplies to a level high enough to cause infection.

This is followed by a phase of fatigue, malaise and body and muscle ache that may lead to the onset of fever.

The fever may be low grade or high grade and remittent symptions like nflammation of the pharynx, running nose, nasal congestion, headache, redness of the eyes, cough, muscle and joint pain and skin rashes can appear.

Fatigue and body pain can be disproportionate to the level of fever and lymph glands may swell up.

The illness is usually self-limited, but the fatigue and cough may persist for a few weeks. Sometimes pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice or arthritis (joint swelling) may complicate the situation.

Most viral infections are spread by inhalation of aerosolised particles, by intake of contaminated water or food or by direct contact.

Infection then spreads locally and thereafter into the blood stream or lymph channels. Some viral infections are transmitted sexually or by direct inoculation into the blood stream.

The duration of the primary infection may vary from days to several weeks.

In some cases although the fever comes down, the virus continues to multiply and cause persistent infection.

Following steps can help control viral infections:

• Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as they abound in vitamins A, B complex, C, E, zinc and iron — all these strengthen the immune system. Sources of these vitamins include green leafy vegetables (cabbage, spinach, broccoli), sprouts and red and yellow fruits and vegetables (oranges, tomatoes, carrots etc.).
• Drink plenty of fluids (water, soups and juices) as it helps in replenishing the fluid loss during infection.
• Eat freshly cooked meals and avoid refrigerated food items.
• Take plenty of rest, as it gives your body a better chance to fight the virus.
• Mixture made by grinding few tulsi leaves, ¼ teaspoon of sunflower seeds and 1 teaspoon of honey helps to overcome fever.
• Any type of fever can be cured quickly by drinking mint and ginger concoction.
• Half teaspoon of turmeric powder and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder mixed in a cup of hot milk is good for viral patients. Drink this milk twice a day.
• Applying sandalwood mixture on the forehead helps in bringing down the body temperature.

NRI comes to power lifter’s help, gives Rs 84,000
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 30
Various organisations of the town and surrounding villages gave a warm send off to a Power lifter from here who had been selected to represent India in Junior and Sub-Junior (Men and Women) World Power Lifting Championship scheduled to commence on September 8 at Pretoria in South Africa. He was presented a draft worth Rs 84000 on behalf of Dr Sanjiv Walia an NRI and his associates. The donors had offered to sponsor the sportsman after reading a story in The Ludhiana Tribune about his intention to surrender the chance to participate in the championship for the want of funds to be deposited with the Indian Power Lifting Federation as expenses for the visit.

Mr Pawandeep Singh a resident of local Amarpura mohalla was selected for the World Power lifting Championship after he ranked first in the National Power lifting Championship held in the month of July at Jamshedpur. He had earlier won gold medals in Bench press and Power lifting in the state championship.

Though the Indian Power lifting Federation had written to the Punjab Power lifting Association to arrange a sponsor for the selected sportsman they did not inform him even about his selection. Disappointed over the attitude of the authorities Mr Pawandeep decided to surrender the opportunity as his family could not afford the expenses. The Ludhiana Tribune carried a story about the pathetic attitude of the sports authorities, which attracted the intention of an NRI and a philanthropist, Dr. Sanjiv Ahluwalia who offered to sponsor the visit of the Power lifter.

Local organisations including the Journalist Association, the Super Jatindra Pipes, the Sukjhmani Sewa Society, Muslim Youth Front, Shri Ram Mandir Trust, the Baba Budha Gurmat Parchar Trust, Ahmedgarh Sports Club and the Chaura Bazar Welfare Associaton organised a function to give a warm send off to the sportsman.

Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha a SAD MLA criticised the state government for alleged indifference shown towards the enthusiastic sportsmen. He said, “Instead of learning a lesson from the bad performance the sports department ignored the interest of individual sportsmen and nation as well. Had Dr Walia not come forward to help the power lifter Punjab could have lost a chance to represent India in the said Championship.”

Mr Maan Singh Garcha (a SAD leader) Mr Jagwant Singh Jaggie, Ms. Chiter Rekha Sharma , Mr Sham Shunder, Mr Jaswinder Sodhi , Mr Mohinder Singh Multani, Ms. Veena Puri , Ms Santosh Rani, Mr Jatinder Bhola, Mr Kishori Lal Bhadhan and Mohamad Yaseen ( all councillor ), Mr Sanjeev Singla and Mr Sikander Jartoli were present on the occasion.