Bengaluru: With the sudden change in weather over the past few days, hospitals across the city are seeing an increase in the number of viral fever cases, including viral gastroenteritis. Hospital authorities said the increasing footfalls are due to the unusual nip in the air.
“With the change in temperature and and change in season, bouts of viral fever are common. However management of viral gastroenteritis is a challenge because people walk in only if it is chronic diarrhea," said Dr Aseema Banu, HOD and Professor of Microbiology at Bowring Hospital, BangaloreMedical College and Research Institute.
Medical Superintendent of Vani Vilas Hospital, Dr Gangadhar Belvadi, said there has been a marginal increase in the number of patients at one of the biggest hospitals for children in the city.
“We are seeing many viral fever cases. The symptoms of viral fever and H1N1 are similar. In H1N1 the symptoms are breathlessness and congestion in the lungs,” he said.
Jayanagar General Hospital is recording about 40 cases of viral fever every day. "The patients complain of fever, cold, cough and body ache. These are largely symptoms of seasonal flu,” said a doctor from Jayanagar General Hospital.
Giving a word of caution to patients, Dr Prassana Kumar Senior specialist at Bowring Hospital, adds, “People need to maintain hand hygiene because the virus spreads from the hands. Also, cough etiquette needs to be maintained. (Coughing should always be done with the mouth covered.) Boiled water and cooked vegetables should be preferred to eating outside the house or consuming cut fruits outside.”
