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Readers' queries on winter problems
Doctors can prescribe antibiotics in cases of viral infections if there are chances of secondary bacterial infection or if there is a doubt about the diagnosis or in people whose body resistance is low.
The onset of winter has meant trouble for me. I am 57 years old. I get regular pain in stomach after passing stool in the morning. I pass stool at about 6am and get pain up to 8am. Please suggest a vegetarian diet for the season.
-If the pain persists, it could because of an infection. You should consult a doctor then. You can have dalia or cereal or toast and sprouts for breakfast along with milk and some nuts. For lunch and dinner, have roti/ dal/ veggies and curd. Drink plenty of water as well.
My daughter is three years and nine months old. She has suffered four asthma attacks since August, because of which she had to be hospitalised. Her symptoms start with cold followed by cough and then distress. She is on nebulisation regularly since August. What precautions should I take to avoid another attack? Her weight is 13.3kg.
-Your daughter needs to be under good care of a pediatrician for regular follow-ups. You should protect her from cold as much as you can. She should also be given influenza vaccines after discussions with her doctor.
Do antibiotics not work at all in viral infections? Why do doctors then prescribe antibiotics when suffering from viral influenza?
-Doctors can prescribe antibiotics in cases of viral infections if there are chances of secondary bacterial infection or if there is a doubt about the diagnosis or in people whose body resistance is low.
How can I reduce congestion in the chest, as it is a common problem that I suffer from in winters?
-To reduce congestion in chest, you have to protect yourself from getting exposed to cold. Consume a lot of warm water with some lemon, honey and ginger and eat healthy food with less oil and spices. Consult your physician for further advice.
Dr Supriya Bali, senior consultant, department of internal medicine, Max Healthcare
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