Oman health: Common cold grips Muscat

Muscat: A contagious common cold is spreading across Oman, doctors said on Tuesday.
Dr Pradeep Maheshwari, specialist of internal medicine at the Atlas Hospital, Ruwi, said patients suffering from cough, cold and fever are crowding the hospital. “Nearly 50 percent of my patients are suffering from a variety of winter illnesses,” he said.
The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the airborne virus after individuals sneeze or cough. “So people should always cover their face and nose while sneezing,” Pradeep Maheshwari said.
There is word of caution for the elderly and the young especially as they are more vulnerable to such attacks. “The best thing to do this season is to practice good hygiene and self protection,” Dr Basheer, senior internist at Badr Al Samaa Hospital in Ruwi, said.