Palu, Cold, Cough: The harmattan trio

The current cold period is conducive to the appearance of respiratory infections (cough, cold) and malaria. To better understand, Doctor Ibrahim Mohamed Témé, biologist, edifies us.

In 2020, out of more than 2 million recorded cases of malaria, Mali deplored 1,698 deaths according to the national malaria control program. “Malaria transmissions increase much more at the beginning of the rainy season and at the end. Because in its periods, insalubrity becomes a very important phenomenon. One can easily observe waste of all kinds in the alleys. Added to this is solid waste. This leads to the multiplication of mosquitoes which take advantage to lay eggs in different corners. During the day, we receive about ten patients (adults and young people) suffering from malaria. After consultations, we advise them to sleep under an impregnated mosquito net, spraying the house at least two or three times a week in order to avoid malaria.”emphasizes Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Témé, medical biologist.

During this period, bad habits take hold and expose us to diseases that focus on the respiratory tract. During this moment of dry wind, the crowds in our hospitals are very frequent due also to the various respiratory diseases such as coughs, colds, pneumonia…

Nowadays, malaria has become associated with colds and coughs. Respiratory diseases are due to an infection of the nasal cavities, most often caused by chorizo ​​influenza which is a type of nasopharyngeal flu.

“During this period, the cold virus is very widespread and due to an infection of the nasal cavities or most often caused by chorizo ​​flu which is quite common in toddlers. It is also a major threat, especially for children and for the elderly and frail suffering in particular from heart and lung diseases. When the virus gains ground, it sits above the throat. So we are talking about nasopharyngitis”explains the practitioner.

“Bronchitis is linked to an infection with the respiratory virus which occurs when the infection descends to the lungs and is characterized by a very contagious wet cough”explains Dr. Témé.

These different pathologies are transmitted by virus-laden droplets emitted when you cough or sneeze. And also through the saliva or the hands of infected people.

To avoid these different epidemics, precautions must be taken. First of all, protect yourself against mosquitoes by sleeping under a mosquito net, by cleaning up houses and neighborhoods in the case of malaria, by protecting the very young.

Aïchatou Konare

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