Viral fever in the air

Patients flocking to government, private hospitals

Hyderabad: The nip in the air is conspicuous and so is the rising number of patients to government and private hospitals. Thanks to the recent spell of rains it created congenial conditions for viruses to spread menacingly.

The out-patients that never crossed 400 for the past few months at the Fever Hospital has breached the 750-mark. Dr Shankar, superintendent of the hospital, attributes the spurt in patients to inclement weather.

“Cold cough, malaria and typhoid cases are common during the season but flu like symptoms are to be seen,” he says.

Majority of patients are from poor economic backgrounds, mostly from slums around Greater Hyderabad. In most cases, fever reduces in three days but if it persists doctors advise admission and further tests.

The cold weather can cause tightening in the airways which causes discomfort and cough. Dr Mallikarjun, a private practitioner says, “Upper respiratory tract infections are common. A number of patients discontinue medicine which can be harmful.”

Reena, a resident of Shanti Nagar says, “In spite of taking precautions, both my kids are affected. They have been complaining of runny nose and nose block.” Dr Shankar cautions people to be extra careful and simple measures go a long way such as keeping the food covered, filling up poth holes and washing one’s hands properly.”

The sudden rise in patients is noticed not only in government hospitals but also in private clinics. At Fever Hospital the number of out-patients has been increasing steadily. Sample this: On Monday the OP was 372, Tuesday it recorded 791, the following day it was 707 and at 3 pm on Thursday the number had already touched 610.

The OP is open 24/7 at the Fever Hospital and the number could touch 800 plus say officials. Even at Gandhi and Osmania Hospital there is a marked increase in patients.

A minimum of three days rest is recommended along with medication and doctors advise not to take flu like symptoms as easy. Women and children are more susceptible especially who have weak immunity levels.

While doctors do not ring the alarm bells, the advice is simple: Home cooked food, not getting exposed to breeze and covering food should help for faster recovery.