Dengue, viral fever grip Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Many citizens are suffering from high or low-grade fevers, cough, cold and bodyache: symptoms of viral or vector-borne diseases.
While the number of dengue cases had dipped when temperatures rose at the beginning of September, the fresh spell of light rain with lower temperatures and high humidity has led to an uptick in cases and hospitalization.
City hospitals and physicians said 10% to 15% of all such patients require hospitalization.
Dr Rushikesh Shah, a physician with Zydus Hospital, said the number of cases of dengue has increased compared to the last fortnight. “Case numbers are not as high as about a month ago, but there were very few cases in early September, with flu cases being more prevalent.
These days we are witnessing viral infections and dengue,” he said. “We can expect dengue cases to continue till Navratri. For viral fevers, patients need symptomatic treatment. Typically, the symptoms last for five to seven days.”
Termed ‘seven-day fever’ in parts of India, viral fever cases are on the rise with patients first experiencing a high-grade fever for two to three days along with cough and cold, followed by three to four days of body ache and weakness. Dr Dhiren Mehta, a city-based physician, said multiple viral infections are prevalent in the city with conducive weather conditions.
“The need of the hour is to break the infection chain with good personal hygiene, covering one’s mouth while sneezing and washing hands frequently,” he said.
Dr Minesh Mehta, a critical care specialist at Shalby Hospital, said the OPD to hospitalization rate is about 10% to 15% in fever cases.
“Those who need hospitalization due to dengue typically report a rapid drop in platelet counts along with impact on the liver and heart. While there are dengue-like symptoms with negative reports, the timing of the test is important, and one should not let one’s guard down after the symptoms abate,” he said.
Dr Maneesh Agarwal, CEO of Jivraj Mehta Hospital, said that for the past few days they have been getting 15 to 20 outpatients with fever-related cases. “We are seeing cases from almost all age groups, including children, in hospitalization. The average hospitalization period is four to five days,” he said.