THE Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. revealed that there is an increasing number of patients being admitted in medical facilities over what seemed to be flu-like symptoms.
According to PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano majority of the hospitals are “mostly full due to the increase in patients with viral diseases prevalent this season.”
De Grano was referring to the rainy season which just recently concluded.
He said that they noticed 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 Systemic Viral Infection – SVI is the general term but symptom-wise, it is flu,” he said
He explained that an SVI usually occurs when a virus spreads throughout the body.
This is opposed to being limited to a single organ or site of entry.
Among the symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches.
Children that are marked with such symptoms are usually confined in hospitals for at least four days.
They last longer if there are certain complications like pneumonia.
De Grano also said that PHAPI has monitored a rise in leptospirosis cases as rains and floods continue to affect the country.
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.
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