Chikungunya cases outnumber dengue in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: While July recorded a good number of dengue cases, August has seen a different trend in the spread of viral diseases. Doctors noted that chikungunya cases were outnumbering those of dengue in the city. The reason for this change could be better management of dengue cases this year, doctors said.

“In the last two or three months, initially, we saw a big rise in dengue fevers. Now, in the last month, the scenario has slightly changed. Dengue fevers have come down a bit, and there is an increase in the number of Chikungunya cases,” said Dr Aarathi Bellary, a consultant of internal medicine at KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur.

“Our experience in the private set-up in Hyderabad tells us that chikungunya seems more prevalent than dengue. We have not seen too many complications in dengue cases this year. Better management by parents and doctors could have contributed to it,” said Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a paediatrician. “However, it is too early to tell the effect and complications this season.”

Chikungunya symptoms include high-grade fever (102.4°F to 105.8°F), which may last for one or two days, unlike dengue, which lasts longer. Severe joint pains can affect the small and large joints of the body and cause severe inflammation in chikungunya patients.

“These joint pains can last from anywhere between four to six weeks. People face difficulty in climbing and walking. Out of 20-30 outpatient cases, we see at least five to six chikungunya cases. Most of these cases can be managed at home. But if the patients have severe pains or high-grade fever, they may require admission,” explained Dr Bellary.