ICUs in govt, private hosps filled to brim

Hyderabad: Intensive care units in major tertiary centres, including private facilities, continue to be chockablock with patients suffering from complications like influenza, respiratory illnesses, low platelets and uncontrolled fever. This is occurring even after official statistics have shown a stagnation in cases of dengue and influenza. For instance, ICUs in all govt tertiary centres like Gandhi, Osmania hospitals and even NIMS are seeing 10-15 new admissions of critical patients with these symptoms each day.In OGH, ICUs continue to be overflowing. "We are seeing a mix of cases from people with comorbidities who are coming with complications related to comorbidities to patients who have complications due to dengue and viral fevers. There are a few patients who experience a quick deterioration. Some cases are becoming extremely critical, requiring ventilator support too, but most of the patients are improving," said Dr Rakesh Sahai, OGH superintendent, adding that overall cases of dengue and viral fevers are on the decline now. At NIMS, the ICU has been full since the beginning of the monsoon season. "Our ICUs are full with a mix of dengue, chikungunya, Covid-19 and flu cases although dengue cases are the most prevalent among these. The majority of the cases, however, are getting better with outpatient treatment," Dr Ashish Chauhan, consultant physician at Apollo Hospitals. "In most cases that reach the ICU, there might be delayed reporting to the doctor. It is best to consult a doctor if the fever does not subside within 24 hours or even earlier if the patient feels extremely unwell," he said.