Fluctuating temperatures causing illnesses: Doctors

HYDERABAD: With a relatively colder March going by and a hot April upon us, people in the city have been reporting a mix of illnesses.

Many have been showing flu-like symptoms with cold, cough, fever, and body pains with headaches, because of the three days of unseasonal rains. Just as they were recovering from the flu, came the soaring temperatures.

On Tuesday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Hyderabad issued a yellow alert in the city until March 31 as the maximum temperature was likely to touch 40°C.

In districts like Adilabad, Jagtial, Komaram Bheem, Mancherial, Nirmal and Rajanna Siricilla, the maximum temperature is expected to reach up to 45ºC, it said, while the TS Development Planning Society (TSDPS) forecast that the maximum temperatures in the state are expected to be in the range of 36 to 40°C.

The rising temperatures, since a week now, have already begun affecting the health of people in the city. Children are the most affected because of their morning schools, say doctors.

"A young patient who was just recovering from a cold came back during the weekend with heat exhaustion. His body was unable to cope with the sudden changes happening around," said Dr Kautilya Mann, a consultant general physician.

He added that such changes in temperatures are common now as even adults move out from an air-conditioned room to the hot sun out or vice versa.

"These very day fluctuations are harmful to the body. One must refrain from choosing extreme temperatures on the A/C and cover themselves adequately and find places under the shade when out in the sun," he added.