Chennai: While the number of dengue and fever cases has gone down, incidences of water borne diseases and infections including diarrhea, ENT (ear, nose and throat) infections, paratyphoid, conjunctivitis, ear infections, athlete's foot and upper respiratory tract infections have spiked at government hospitals in Chennai after rains.
Several cases of bacterial infections after the rains are mainly increased due to high prevalence of disease carrying pathogens. Incidences of upper respiratory tract infections have doubled and allergy issues troubles patients of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), say medicos.
“Due to seasonal changes, patients of asthma and COPD can have exacerbated symptoms as they get exposed to pollutants mixed with rain water. This can cause viral infections including diarrhea, pneumonia, and respiratory tract infections. The incidences can be eased by sunlight as allergens can be eliminated, but during rainy days the situation worsens,” said Dr Ranjith Veeramani Thangavelu, senior assistant surgeon at Government hospital of Thoracic Medicine.
Pulmonologists say incidences of upper and lower respiratory tract infections have increased manifold since monsoon set in due to the presence of allergens in air and water that infect people. “Patients complaining of respiratory tract infections have risen at the hospital mainly because people develop allergies such as food allergies, allergic conjunctivitis, and other symptoms of hyper allergic state in rainy season,” said Dr Ponnambala Namasivayam, dean, Stanley Medical College.
Cases of cholera, diarrhea and pneumonia have increased in past few days at Institute of Child Health as children are easily exposed to rainwater while playing and on their way to school. However, hospital authorities say that cases will rise as rains cease. “Bacterial infections and water-borne diseases will spike after the rains stop as incubation of diseases takes time. Incidences of respiratory ailments generally go high during winter season, especially in the month of December and January,” said Dr P Vasanthamani, dean, Kilpauk Medical College.
