Viral infection seen among high school students in Bacolod

Cases of viral exanthem, characterized by rashes caused by a viral infection, have been monitored among students of Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) here in the past several weeks. Dr. Sheila Blancia, NOHS medical officer III, said in an interview on Thursday that since the start of October alone, two to three students in a day have exhibited symptoms of the viral exanthem. 'On the first day that the symptoms develop, the child should already be isolated and not allowed to go to school. The parent should inform the adviser whenever the child has a fever and rashes. The adviser would then provide distance learning materials to the student while isolating at home,' she added. Blancia said that several learners at NOHS have been diagnosed with viral exanthem since early September. In an advisory, the NOHS Medical Clinic told students showing symptoms like fever, body aches, fatigue, or rashes to stay home for at least two weeks. Locally known as 'makayha,' viral exanthem causes a highly contagious rash from a viral infection and poses serious risks, particularly to pregnant women, as infection can lead to potential blindness or deafness in their unborn children, it added. Like most viruses, viral exanthem has no treatment or cure, and the patient would just have to wait for the virus to run its course. Blancia said that students usually catch the viral infection by staying up late, not drinking enough water, and also not taking vitamin supplements. 'We just have to remember that we need to practice strict handwashing and should wear masks when having coughs and colds to prevent the spread of infection,' she added. Source: Philippines News agency