City doctors have been witnessing a rise in viral fever due to the heavy rainfall during the last seven days.There has been around a 30-40 per cent rise in viral fever across the civic and state-run hospitals.
Moreover, patients have been complaining of cold, cough and sore throat which are the common symptoms seen in most of the patients visiting OPD’s. A general physician said they have been seeing 10-15 patients at his clinic and OPD, of which only two to three have been admitted.
Most of them are coming with stomach problems. Dr Kishore Sathe,specialist emergency medicine, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre said, “It has been raining heavily since past one week throughout Mumbai. Among many difficulties that people are facing due to the rains are the rise in fever cases. Cases, including common cold, cough, flu, H1N1 and influenza are on the rise as opposed to Covid cases whichseeing a decling trend.”
Health experts said thatthe virus thrives in a fluctuating temperature due to which cases have increased. “We are getting at least ten patients every day in the hospital’s outpatient department with respiratory problems. Not everyone requires hospitalisation but in a situation where there is high fever, usually above 100 F degrees, patients seek admission and require intravenous antibiotics,” said a doctor from the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital.
Dr Gautam Bhansali, general physician, Bombay Hospital said, “Patients are coming to the OPD with complaints of breathlessness, coughing, sneezing,tightness in the chest, allergy and asthma complications. More than 30-40 patients come in daily for respiratory ailments.”
According to consultant Dr Vinita Singh Tandon, while the change in weather conditions is an important factor behind the sudden rise in viralfever cases,there is a drastic reduction in the wearing of masks,makingrespiratory viral illnesses more contagious. Improper disposal of waste, water storageandpoor hygienic conditions have led to increased infections like dengue and malaria.
“The change in weather and arrival of the monsoon will have a major role to play. High-grade fever, body aches, a sore throat, headaches and loose stools are themost common symptoms. Proper hydration, a nutritious diet and adequate rest are the mainstay of treatment. In cases of warning signs, it's advisable to see your doctor,” she said.
Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of state's Covid-19 taskforce said, there is a downward trend, due to which active cases have reduced across Mumbai and Maharashtra. Factors such as low moisture levels are also playing an important role in downward trends. “While reduction in active cases is good news, we need more cooperation from citizens so that the number drops further,” he said.
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