New Delhi: A spike in upper respiratory tract infections, typhoid, and gastroenteritis are seen in patients coming to OPDs. According to the doctors, this could be the result of unseasonal rain and sudden weather change.
“These days, we are getting more than 20 patients every day in the OPD with complaints of upper respiratory tract infections, undiagnosed prolonged fever, typhoid, cases of swine flu, allergies, pneumonia and dengue,” Dr Bhagwan Mantri, consultant pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Moolchand Hospital told PTI.
“Earlier, the number of such patients was less than 10 per day but we are seeing a spike now,” he added.
Mantri further said that infections are seen across all age groups but among the elderly severe forms of respiratory tract infections are more common.
Doctors say that these cases have doubled due to the increased awareness of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Every year, there is a surge in infectious disease after the monsoon, however, this year, some hospitals are seeing cases of scrub typhus and leptospirosis in greater numbers.
“Dengue which has become a regular burden this season is a regular ailment these days among OPD patients. Besides, we are getting typhoid fever, acute gastroenteritis, viral hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, some cases of swine flu, and occasional Covid cases,” said Dr Manoj Sharma, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj.
“This year we are getting cases of scrub typhus and leptospirosis as well, although numbers are not huge, they are definitely more than previous years,” he added.
Scrub typhus is an infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, a mite-borne bacterium. Chigger mites, the larval stage of mites, transmit the disease from animals like rats, squirrels, and rabbits to humans. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through urine or excreta of rats and cattle.
Medical Director of Batra hospital, Dr SCL Gupta said that unseasonal rain and the sudden weather change could be the reason behind the spike in such cases.
“Our hospital is seeing cases of upper respiratory tract infections among children, especially among the seven to eight years old. The symptoms include fever, breathlessness, cough, uneasiness,” Gupta said was quoted by PTI.
The doctors have advised people to wear masks as it protects from viruses other than coronavirus. Mantri also advises that if a fever lasts more than 48 hours, a patient should consult with a doctor. If a fever is left untreated it could lead to further complications.
(With Inputs From PTI)
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