INFLUENZA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 76, 11 March 1933, Page 10

INFLUENZA

A FEW HINTS. Influenza, fortunately, is fairly mild this season but the after-effects are apt to be troublesome unless great care is taken. One of the chief mistakes that amateur nurses make is to think that a patient is convalescent if his morning temperature is normal. The first sign of a normal temperature often means that tlie thermometer is put away and the patient gets up next day. It is very important to see that the temperature is taken each day at 5 p.m. It may then be found that the normal morning temperature has risen to 100 or even 102-3. This may go on for days. That is the nasty trick that influenza plays 1 So everyone who has an influenza patient to nurse should watch the evening temperature and not allow the patient out of bed till the night temperature has been normal two nights running at least. Another point to notice is that with fever a patient should keep well covered in bed. A Wellington doctor remarked last week that even keeping the hands out of bed was apt to suppress the perspiration so needed to reduce feverish condition*. People who have had influenza are susceptible to chill for quite a long time. Cold winds and over-exertion should be avoided and children should not swim in fresh water baths till they arc again in robust health.