Viral fevers grip city

It’s not just dengue causing an alarm among the public and authorities. It is the viral fevers that have gripped general population in a big way in the city now. Out of every 10 patients with high grade fever, six to seven patients have viral fevers, while the rest have dengue and malaria, doctors maintain.

These viral fevers are characterised by high fever and body pains and take at least four days or a week to subside. The worst part of viral fevers, general physicians agree, is that they are difficult to prevent because they spread through inhalation of particles in air (aerosol particles) or through contaminated food and water.

Symptoms

High fever and chills is associated to malaria while fever, rash, muscle, joint pains and swollen glands are rough indicators of dengue. Fever with cough usually indicate upper respiratory tract infection while fever along with burning sensation while passing urine is associated to urinary tract infection.

The outpatient of Fever Hospital at Nallakunta, the nodal centre for seasonal ailments, is receiving close to 1,200 patients with viral fevers on a daily basis. On normal days, the number of patients are between 700 and 800. Same is the case at Gandhi and OGH, where the outpatient has swelled to 1,200 to 1,300 patients per day.

“All these ailments are self limiting, which means they subside in four days or a week. Personal hygiene and avoiding contaminated food and water are basic precautions for viral fevers,” says former Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital Dr. B. Balraju.

In a combined effort to combat viral fevers, dengue and malaria, GHMC and Public Health and Family Welfare Department have started visiting slums and colonies located along the river Musi and water bodies. A huge drive to spray DDT for the next three days is being taken up. The anti malaria drive will continue be taken up between 10 and 20 of every month till the situation is under control.

“Fresh water stagnation at homes should be avoided. Water should be removed from sources like unused pots, air-conditioners, unused tyres and flower pots. Repellents, mosquito nets should be used,” says Dr. D. Sriharsha, District Malaria Officer.

In the last 48 hours, health authorities have conducted 27 health camps in slums distributing drugs and collecting blood samples for testing. Officials said enough dengue testing kits were provided at OGH, Gandhi and Fever Hospitals for disease confirmation.