Sokoto state: UDUTH sensitises General Public on Dangers of Sore Throat

The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto state has organised a one day Sensitisation lecture for general public on the dangers of sore throat disease.

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In his remarks during the ceremony, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Anas Sabir, urged the general public to always ensure effective check-up of their sore throat to avoid kidney, heart diseases and other complications.

Professor Sabir said early treatment of sore throat helps to prevent patients from being affected with other complications that may lead to high risk of heart and kidney diseases.

He noted that the lectures was part of the hospital’s monthly clinical presentation aimed at educating people on various diseases for the overall health benefits of the society.

He commended the monthly clinical presentation committee of the hospital for the awareness and urged to continue to explore more interesting topics for the overall health benefits of people in the country.

He further applauded the three presenters, Dr Khadija Isezuo, Dr Hayatu Umar, Dr Ali Yoroko, that present papers on hidden dangers of sore throat.

On her presentation, Dr Khadija Isezuo, a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, described sore throat as a disease that range from a mere scratch, discomfort, mild pain, dryness, or irritation of the throat to pain so severe that even swallowing saliva hurts.

According to her, “It is associated with other symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal discharge, noisy and difficulty breathing, vomiting, neck swelling depending on the cause and complications.

“Approximately 470,000 new cases of the disease occur annually, with a more significant disease burden in developing countries.”

Dr Isezuo noted that globally, over 319,499 deaths/year were attributed to it in 2015.

She said it is the disease of resource-poor regions especially in areas of over-crowding, poor sanitation, inadequate access to healthcare and lower socio-economic status.

Dr Isezuo recommend Public education and Awareness through conferences, media, outreaches to rural areas, Imams and Pastors as ways for prevention of the disease.

Also Dr Hayatu Umar a Consultant Paediatric, Department of Internal Medicine, UDUTH said sore throat like Covid-19 infection is a disease with no boundaries.

He noted, “Sore throat is amongst the most common disease seen in primary health care practice.”

He suggested pharmacological treatment ginger, garlic, fruits, clove, pepper soup, lozenges, salt water gaggles as measure ways of preventing the disease.

He noted that pharmacological treatment, paracetamol, NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, feldene), Antibiotics, Antiviral would serve as prescriptions for curing the disease.

Dr Umar advised that the cost of managing complicated sore throat is huge, but prompt recognition and treatment of sore throat are essential in averting local and systemic devastating and life-threatening complications.