Doctors urge caution as viral fever, flu cases rise in Telangana

Senior doctors and public health experts have urged people in Telangana, particularly vulnerable groups, not to ignore viral fever symptoms. They cited rising influenza, SARI, ILI and H1N1 cases in neighbouring states and advised timely medical attention

Hyderabad: Senior doctors and public health experts have urged the general public, especially vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with co-morbid conditions, in Hyderabad and elsewhere in Telangana not to dismiss typical viral fever symptoms as a mere inconvenience and, in the process, delay seeking medical attention.

With cases of influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and H1N1 clearly on the rise in all the neighbouring states of Telangana, including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is inevitable that such ailments will take a similar trajectory in Telangana as well.

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Based on ground reports, the present circulating strain of H1N1 is proving to be far more severe. Doctors are reporting alarming clinical presentations such as extremely high-grade fevers unresponsive to antipyretics, severe week-long coughs and complications such as febrile delirium, a severe neurological reaction to high fever that causes confusion, disorientation or hallucinations, as well as seizures in children, alongside critical drops in blood oxygen saturation levels, plummeting as low as 75.

Doctors have urged patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience breathlessness, chest pain, low oxygen levels, persistent or worsening fever, confusion, severe weakness or dehydration.

“Unlike states like Karnataka, Maharashtra etc, at present none of the government hospitals in Telangana offer instant tests for H1N1, normal influenza or SARI/ILI cases to patients. That’s why we urge individuals with typical symptoms not to wait for tests but get checked by a qualified doctor first,” doctors said.

On its part, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH), Telangana, has issued a generic advisory to guard against airborne infections, including viral fevers and influenza. The authorities, following directions from the Union Health Ministry, have informed that they have been closely monitoring ILI and SARI cases in Telangana for the past few weeks.

Senior doctors have reiterated that while healthy individuals usually recover with rest and hydration, high-risk groups should prioritise annual vaccination and consult doctors early to prevent secondary bacterial infections.