Doctors warn against increased cases of diarrhea and vomiting

Doctors have warned against an increase in cases of diarrhea and vomiting alongside the recent increase of COVID-19 cases.

If contracted diarrhea and vomiting, Pediatrician, Dr. Ahmed Faisal, instructs that the patient be given medication to stop vomiting and plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

“In cases of diarrhea, stop milk and dairy intake. If taking Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), give that. Otherwise give other fluids,” he had said.

Dr. Faisal also noted that pregnant women can take medication to stop vomiting as well.

Speaking regarding the matter, Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) Epidemiologist, Dr. Afzal Ibrahim, said that cases of diarrhea and vomiting are increasing at the same rate as COVID-19 cases – adding that more specific numbers can be shared after analyzing all date.

Noting that both COVID-19 and diarrhea and vomiting are triggered by viral infections – Dr. Afzal said that safety measures that can be taken against the diseases are also similar.

On this note, he advised to frequently wash hands with soap, refrain from going outside unless for necessary purposes in addition to practicing social distancing.

As diarrhea and vomiting can also be easily passed on from person to person – resulting in its speedy spread – Dr. Afzal said that practicing the safety measures recommended pertaining to COVID-19 will increase protection against diarrhea and vomiting as well.

 “Giving importance to COVID-19 safety measures will also cover diarrhea and vomiting,” he had said.

Speaking further, Dr. Afzal said that at present, COVID-19 cases and diarrhea and vomiting cases are more than that of flu cases.

“Especially since it is holidays, the best measure against both Covid and Diarrhea and vomiting that can be taken is to wash hands with soap,” he stressed.

He also noted that the probability of the disease being passed from one person to another during this period is higher, as the holidays have increased movement amongst people.

As per the latest statistics by HPA, a total of 224 additional cases of COVID-19 was confirmed on Wednesday; 102 cases from the greater Male’ region, 48 cases from residential islands outside Male’, and 74 cases from operational resorts. 

This increased the number of confirmed cases in the country to 96,746.

Meanwhile, 192 additional COVID-19 patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24 hours, increasing total recoveries to 93,736.    

With the new developments, Maldives now has 2,734 active cases.