Respiratory Infections Increase Markedly

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 16

Respiratory Infections Increase Markedly

There was a marked increase in the number of respiratory viral infections with influenza symptoms, and associated with tracheitis .or bronchitis, in older age groups, in the four weeks to August 7, according to a report issued by the research committee of the Canterbury faculty of the College of General Practitioners. The report is part of a continuing survey, made in cooperation with the Health Department. The number of cases of respiratory viral infections reported was 1222, compared with 936 in the previous four weeks. There was a moderate influenza epidemic during the period. One doctor reported several cases of patients with bronchitis and pneumonia who had the influenza vaccine, antibiotics and sulpha drugs of use only in the later stage of complications. The number of cases reported in the period was

2380. This was a decrease of 97 cases compared with the previous period. The greatest numbers for individual complaints were respiratory viral infections (1222), acute tonsilitis (246), otitis media (middle-ear disease) (237), diarrhoea and vomiting (166), and staphylococcal infections (165). One case of “hand, foot and mouth” disease was reported, and several cases of ringworm of the scalp because of microsporum canis were reported in a new housing estate. Of the 237 cases of otitis media reported, 153 were children. Of these 131 were acute. The average time that elapsed before a doctor was consulted or called was 20 hours.