Erratic weather prolongs viral infections

Ahmedabad: The first eight days of April in the city saw temperatures hovering between 35 and 37 degrees celsius, lower than the usual average. Along with seasonal changes marked by light rain and partly cloudy conditions, residents are reporting frequent spells of viral infections. A significant number of citizens have visited city-based doctors complaining of low-grade fever, body ache, headache, runny or blocked nose, sore throat and persistent cough. For many physicians, viral cases have made up nearly half of their outpatient department (OPD) load over the past month. Dr Praveen Garg, a city-based physician, said there has been a consistent inflow of patients over the last month suffering from viral infections lasting more than two to three weeks. "Typically, it begins with a mild fever and related symptoms, which subside with medication and treatment. However, after a gap, the same individual gets infected again and develops similar symptoms. The mixed or double season is a major reason for this pattern," he said. He added that although Covid infections are being reported or suspected in other parts of the world, no such cases have been observed locally so far. "People with weaker immunity due to age or underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to repeated infections," Dr Garg said. Dr Dhiren Mehta, another city-based physician and former president of the Ahmedabad Medical Association, said diagnostic tests are usually avoided in most cases as symptoms remain mild and respond well to treatment. "In most instances, medication along with adequate hydration and rest is effective. In a few severe cases, patients require treatment for a slightly longer duration. Compared to earlier years, viral infection episodes have continued for an extended period as full-fledged summer conditions have not arrived yet," he said. City-based pathology laboratories have also not reported any sharp rise in tests ordered by doctors. In select cases, CBC and blood tests are conducted, while tests for influenza A, influenza B, and Covid remain limited, they said. Over the past couple of weeks, some localities have also reported gastric ailments. Doctors, however, said this could be due to a combination of viral infection and consumption of contaminated food or water. Recently, more than 50 girls from the same premises in Memnagar were hospitalized following food poisoning. Experts have advised citizens to avoid stale or uncovered food to prevent gastric problems during this season. MSID:: 130146440 413 |