More such cases reported because of incessant rains over the last one week.
For almost a month now, Bangaloreans have been complaining of viral fever, soar throat and body ache. Incessant rains over the last one week have doubled the number of such cases particularly among children.
According to city doctors, children below five years are more vulnerable and many cases relate to viral fever coupled with wheezing problems.
“About 90% of my patients are suffering from viral fever and the number has almost doubled over the last one-and-a-half weeks. In many cases, asthma is triggered by viral infection. Most asthma patients are getting viral fever. In others, viral fever is causing wheezing problems,” said Dr Preethi Galagali, consultant paediatrician, Chord Road Hospital and a member of Indian Academy of Paediatrics.
The doctor observed not less than 30 cases of viral fever a day. In most cases, the fever touched 103 degree to 104 degree F, but it soon subsided in five to six days. But in many cases, children are getting affected with laryngitis or infection of the voice box. The throat irritation and cough are lasting for two weeks, post the viral fever.
“This is worse, since it causes vomitting, aversion to food and disturbance of sleep for the child,” added Dr Galagali.
While cases are coming from all age groups, those below five years of age are the worst hit. Apart from viral fever, cases of bronchitis, asthma, upper respiratory track infection and laryngitis are also on the rise.
“About 40% of asthma attacks are triggered by viral fever and upper respiratory track infection. Asthma cases have doubled because of weather changes. Children below five years are affected the most,” said Dr H Paramesh, medical and managing director, pulmonologist and environmentalist, Lakeside Medical Centre and Hospital.
While on a given day, the hospital gets 60 to 70 cases of asthma and upper respiratory track infection, over the last one week, over 100 such cases have been received every day.
“With the city experiencing rain almost every day, humidity level has gone up. Dust mites have increased in environment leading to wheezing among children. Also, the grass pollens have increased due to rainfall. This is leading to sneezing, nose block etc, apart from asthma attacks,” added Dr Paramesh.
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