Viral fever on the rise in city, say doctors

Kolkata: As temperature keeps fluctuating in the state due to incessant rain in the past few days, doctors say there has been a significant rise in cases of viral fever and cold-related ailments.

According to the city doctors, mostly children are affected with viral fever because of the rain that continued for nearly two months. Changing temperatures mainly cause such ailments.

There has been an increase of nearly 20 percent in the number of people particularly children coming in with fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough and cold, especially in the past few weeks due to change in temperature and rain.

It may be mentioned here that many children were admitted to the Institute of Child Health with viral fever. According to sources, around 19 children were brought to the hospital in the last one month with high fever, many of whom were later released from the hospital. It was learnt some children are also undergoing treatment at BC Roy Memorial Hospital with similar symptoms. It has been raining in the city and South Bengal districts for the past two months.

The doctors at various clinics and health centres assume that it is a viral infection in the city doing the rounds. If the fever does not subside within 3-5 days, the doctors are suggesting blood tests as the symptoms are often similar to that of dengue or typhoid. Some hospitals in the city are getting sporadic cases of viral fever.

According to a city, the increase in the viral infections usually happens with a change in the season. When the temperature drops suddenly, the body is not accustomed to it.

According to the doctors, gargle is crucial in keeping the infections away. The viruses usually enter the body through the throat, multiply and then move on to either the stomach or the blood stream. Hence, the doctors have advised the patients to gargle with salt water at least five times a day if anyone has cough or irritation in the throat.