Cases of viral infections on rise in Patna

PATNA: The change in maximum and minimum temperatures has brought on several cases of viral ailments, including fever, flu along with symptoms of cough, cold and skin problems, in the city.
Local hospitals have also witnessed rise in the number of such patients for the last couple of days. However, relief is that such cases are mild and hardly requiring hospitalisation."Fever and flu patients recover in a couple of days with proper medication and rest," said Dr V P Choudhary, principal of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), on Wednesday.
Admitting that number of patients with seasonal infections has increased in the out patients departments (OPDs) at PMCH, Choudhary said, "Some viruses, including those causing cough and flu, become active with varying temperatures attacking the respiratory tract reaching lungs and patients complain of sudden high fever with body aches." Maintenance of cleanliness, less exposure outside in morning and night hours, and taking protein-rich food help raise level of immunity needed to fight the invading viruses, added Dr Chaudhary.
Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) too reported rise in cases of viral diseases. Dr Satish Kumar associate professor of medicine of NMCH said there was 20 percent rise in the number of seasonal infection cases reaching its OPD for treatment. He said though there was decline in dengue cases, people also complained of sudden increase in blood pressure warranting the need for additional doses of medication for its stability. Dr Satish said patients with severe skin problems, mostly living in dirty and unhygienic localities of rural areas, were also reaching the NMCH these days.
Dr Pankaj Tiwari of skin department, PMCH, said skin became dry this season and lack of protective creams or moisturisers causes irritation and itching. "Sometimes continuous itching with nails could even lead to cracking of skin and oozing of blood," said Tiwari, adding that eczema, psoriasis and old dermatological problems get aggravated in this season and patients require immediate medication.
He said in some cases dandruff and hair fall also came with the change in shifting of season from monsoon to winter.
"Children are more vulnerable to skin diseases like red rashes and itching in their hands and feet, because these parts mostly remained exposed to open air while they are playing at home, outside or in streets," said Tiwari.
Dr Manoj Kumar Sinha of New Gardiner Road Hospital, also admitted rise in cough, cold and seasonal flue cases reaching its OPDs. He, however, described it as a routine affair with changes of season.
Meanwhile, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) had a different situation as its medical superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said the number of such cases reaching OPDs has dropped almost by 20 percent.