Hyderabad: Food, water contamination triggers surge in febrile illnesses

Hyderabad: Hospitals are seeing a continued surge in febrile illnesses caused by various viruses and bacteria, largely due to the consumption of contaminated food and water. The daily average number of viral fever cases at Government Fever Hospital at Nallakunta is around 60, according to the available data.

“Infections spread by contaminated food are very common in monsoon. Commonly spread infections are typhoid and paratyphoid fevers. We are seeing a rise in hepatitis A and E infections. All these are spread by contaminated food,” said Dr Aarathi Bellary, consultant, internal medicine, KIMS Hospitals.

Fevers can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. These can be tested by doing the blood tests. “Typhoid tests are done after four to five days of fever and blood cultures can be observed. Viral infections need supportive treatment. Whereas bacterial infections like typhoid and paratyphoid need antibiotics, doctors decide based on the cause of infection and then treat it appropriately,” Dr Bellary explained.

“Among viral fevers, we are seeing a huge number of cases of flu, respiratory syncytial virus and chikungunya. Fevers caused by bacteria include typhoid and shigellosis in the last few weeks. Recently, cholera cases too are being reported sporadically,” said Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a paediatrician.