Winter surge in respiratory illnesses, influenza seen in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: While vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria are on the decline in the state, cases of seasonal flu and respiratory illnesses are increasingly being seen. This month, around 500 fever cases were recorded at the state-run fever hospital each day, the majority being influenza cases. These cases, doctors say, are expected to rise further. In comparison, only 168 dengue and 13 chikungunya cases were recorded this month. Even private hospitals are seeing a rise in influenza cases. "We received 20 patients in the last two weeks reporting health issues related to the low temperature and air pollution in the city. This is a 10% rise in the number of patients visiting us from previous weeks. The most common issues being reported are cough, cold, fever, and headaches," said Dr Ahmad Ather, general medicine, Apollo Clinics. Speaking about the age-group most affected, he said, "While a mixed age group of patients are visiting us, people between 30 and 45 years are visiting us the most for such issues." He added that patients who already have asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are worst hit.Cold weather can exacerbate symptoms of asthma, COPD, and other chronic lung diseases. This is because low temperatures and dry periods can create conditions that help viruses spread and survive, say doctors. In fact, the state health department issued an advisory for this week saying that the spread of acute respiratory infections, seasonal flus, and influenza are likely and listed out people at greater risk. These include pregnant women, children under five years of age, older people (over 65 years), individuals with chronic medical conditions (such as chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, liver, or haematologic diseases), and individuals with immunosuppressive conditions/treatments (such as HIV, malignancy, or those receiving chemotherapy or steroids).