Viral Infections and Dengue Cases Surge in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Doctors and medical experts are of the opinion that viral infections and vector-borne diseases are on an upward trajectory in the city, as evidenced by cases of influenza A, B, H3N2, dengue and respiratory tract infections recorded across city hospitals.

Many leading hospitals reported an upsurge in cases of flu, especially in the last two weeks of September.

Doctors said that given the common symptoms for multiple influenza and infections, it was becoming difficult to identify dengue cases.

Dr Rahul Agrawal, HOD (Internal Medicine) and infectious diseases specialist at a leading hospital in Hitec City, said, “There has definitely been an increasing trend in the viral and dengue cases in the city. Travel, exposure to crowded places, contaminated food and water, in addition to mosquito bites are the most common cases.”

“The number of dengue cases went up in September, when compared to August, which might again decrease as the peak monsoon is over. However, there is a high possibility of an upsurge in viral fevers in the coming weeks,” he said.

He said that while around 30 patients visit the hospital every day, only a few required admissions. He said the most common symptoms were fever, cold, cough, weakness, nausea, fatigue, body ache and vomiting.

Dr Spandana Kanaparthi, consultant general physician and diabetologist, said, “There has been a recent rise in dengue and influenza cases. Most of the patients are coming with symptoms of fever, myalgias and rash. Consult a doctor if the fever goes beyond 3-5 days and get necessary blood tests done to avoid complications. Also, influenza, in severe cases, can cause pneumonia and respiratory failure. Therefore, getting an influenza vaccine every year is the best way to reduce the risk.”

The second leading cause of illness, after viral fever, was a rise in respiratory tract infections, doctors said, with those who were earlier diagnosed Covid-19 positive suffering the most.

Doctors also stressed that those with dengue and respiratory tract infections needed admission and intensive care, in cases where comorbid conditions existed.

Dr Sri Karan Uddesh Tanugula, consultant general physician, said that at least 30 cases of fever were reported at his OPD daily in the past month. He said that in the case of dengue, although the transmissibility rate was high, the severity was less compared to previous years and people were reaching hospitals at the early stage of the infection.

He said, “People need not panic even if they get infected with dengue unless there is a bleeding manifestation, such as nose or gum bleeding. Also, there is no need to rush for platelet transfusion even if the count reaches 50,000. Only when the count goes down to 10,000 does a patient need a transfusion.”