22 February,2011 06:52 AM IST | | Priyanka Vora
Doctors record near 50% increase this month in fevers and related disorders, say typhoid and hepatitis are on the rise too
Constant weather fluctuations that riddled February are taking a toll on the health of Mumbaikars.
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Caught between sweaty afternoons followed by chilly nights, they are heading to the doctor with complaints of sore throat, running nose and low grade fever, which experts warn should not be taken lightly.
Doctors have recorded a 50 per cent increase this month in such cases from the month before, and cautioned of a rise in related diseases like typhoid and hepatitis.
"The prolonged winter and the high temperature fluctuation have triggered a spurt of viral fevers which are taking time to get treated.
Usually once the weather stabilises the number of cases go down. But this year the weather has been continuously changing," said Dr Sharat Kolke, physician, internal medicine, Kohinoor Hospital.
He said that he has treated at least 25 such patients daily in the past one week.
Medicos said that cold weather is conducive to the growth of viruses. The smog formed causes respiratory inflammation triggering infections and allergies like bronchitis and asthma.
On the weather-induced disorders, Dr Hemant Thacker, Jaslok Hospital, said, "Owing to the colder weather, there is almost a 40-50 per cent rise in cases of viral infections.
People should avoid drinking cold water when it's warm or switching on the heater if it turns cold. These habits make the body even more susceptible to viruses."
Apart from this the doctors are also seeing a steady rise in typhoid and hepatitis E cases which are generally rampant in monsoon.
Dr Pratit Samdani, Breach Candy Hospital, said, "We have admitted five patients who have tested positive for hepatitis E and are undergoing treatment for dehydration and vomiting.
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Typhoid cases are also coming in." He has seen at least 40 patients coming in for typhoid in the month so far. People should only drink boiled water and refrain from eating outside food, he advised.
Avoid high dose
However, doctors warn that patient should not jump the gun and opt for heavy antibiotics. Instead, they should go for symptomatic medication, along with home remedies like saltwater gargles.
"Eating medicines which can control symptoms like headache and fever is the best way to handle such viral fevers instead of popping antibiotics," said Thacker.
Weather forecast
THE IMD (India Metrological Department) has predicted that the temperature will not drop further. "The sudden drop in the temperature was because of the cold winds approaching from the northern latitude. But now the wind is easterly and south-easterly and thus the temperature will remain stable," said Ajay Kumar from IMD.
He added that starting today, the temperature will increase by one degree and then remain stable.
Maximum and minimum temperatures recorded yesterday: 32C | 18C
Forecast for today: 32C | 17C
