As mercury falls, viral infections rise in Bangalore

With the mercury dipping to nearly nine degree centigrade, winter is here to stay. Bangaloreans have not seen a winter like this in years and are sure to enjoy the cold wave.

However, the chill weather has already started taking a toll on their health with an overall 30% rise in cases of fever and viral infection.

“Over the last couple of weeks, a number of patients are coming with respiratory track infection. Cold weather is amiable for virus to generate faster. Thus, the number of such cases may increase in the coming days with the weather remaining the same,” said Dr Aravind Jagadeesh, consultant, general medicine, Mahaveer Jain Hospital.

While people of all age groups are getting infected, elderly population, paediatric patients and diabetic patients are more prone to developing viral infection.

“Patients are coming with symptoms like high fever, runny nose and cough,” he added.

Children are the worst sufferers this season. “This year, we are getting many cases of high grade viral fever that is lasting for seven to 10 days among children. Generally, a viral fever lasts for three to four days,” said Dr Preethi Galagali, paediatric consultant, Chord Road Hospital.

While wheezing is common  among infants, children between two and 10 years are coming with complaints of cold, cough and fever, she added.

“While every year, around this time of the year, we do get cases of viral infections, this year the number of cases has increased by 20% among paediatric patients,” said Dr Preethi.

“Thus it is advisable for parents to get children take the flu vaccine for safety. If children prone to wheezing get cold and cough, parents must consult a doctor,” she added.

Asthmatics must take extra care.

“Exposure to morning weather which is cold and dry, around this time of the year leads to  asthma attacks, irritation of the nose and cough. Also, people with cardiac complications who exercise outside in this weather get prone to cardiac arrest and stroke,” said Dr H Paramesh, pulmonologist and medical director, Lakeside Hospital and Medical Centre.

Asthmatics are adviced not to exercise in the cold weather.