Mercury falls, viral on rise

Mumbai: As temperatures in the city dip, out-patient departments (OPDs) are seeing an increase in viral infection and fever cases. General practitioners say viral fever cases have doubled over the last fortnight.
    “Since temperatures have gone down and there is smog in the mornings, there has been certainly a rise in the numbers of people suffering from viral fever, cough and cold. In fact, the numbers have doubled from the last fortnight,’’ said Dr Hemant Thacker from Jaslok Hospital.
    Not just hospitals, clinics too have a long line of people waiting to be treated for minor ailments like running noses and croaky throats. “We have about 40-50 patients suffering from viral infections everyday,’’ said Dr Vasant Shenoy, who has a clinic in Santacruz (W).
    The Indian Medical Association (IMA) agrees with the doctors. “There is about a 25% increase in viral cases as compared to the last month. In a big city like Mumbai, where either malaria or flu keeps striking people, there is nothing one can do to avoid falling sick besides maintaining proper hygiene,’’ said Dr Hozie Kapadia, secretary of IMA, Maharashtra.
    Even though a rise in viral cases is normal at this time of the year, doctors say the pollution-mixed mist in the morning that can be a cause of concern for asthma and chronic bronchitis patients. “Many patients come with complaints of problems in swallowing, broken voice and itchiness in the respiratory tract only in the morning. This is happening because of the mist mixed with pollution that settles over the city at night,’’ said Dr Thacker adding that the people who already suffer from respiratory problems need to be careful. “We advise all our patients who suffer from asthma or chronic bronchitis problems to increase their inhaler dosages and to take vaccinations against influenza,’’ he said.
Dos and Don’ts
Protect yourself from the cold Keep your environment well-ventilated Avoid sudden temperature differences Avoid contact with viral patients Maintain proper hygiene Avoid air pollution Avoid self medication