Hyderabad sees seasonal surge in viral fevers, flu-like illnesses amid wet weather

Persistent wet weather and high humidity have led to a seasonal rise in viral fevers and influenza-like illnesses in Hyderabad. Doctors say symptoms can overlap with dengue and chikungunya, while urging residents to prevent mosquito breeding and avoid self-medication.

Hyderabad: Persistent wet weather and high humidity across Hyderabad have triggered a sharp seasonal surge in viral fevers, influenza-like illnesses (ILI), and suspected vector-borne cases. Outpatient departments across major State-run hospitals, including Fever Hospital, Nallakunta, Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad, Basthi Dawakhanas, private nursing homes and clinics, are witnessing a surge in patient walk-ins with typical viral fever symptoms.

According to senior doctors, a majority of patients are reporting overlapping symptoms, which means they are having identical warning symptoms for influenza, common cold, dengue and chikungunya.

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The typical symptoms that patients at health care facilities are reporting include sudden high-grade fever, severe body aches and joint pain, extreme fatigue and exhaustion, and headaches.

“Wet conditions play a big role in triggering viral fevers during the rainy season. It’s mostly water-borne and vector-borne ailments. Families residing in economically weaker section regions must take precautions from mosquitoes, which are the main culprit for diseases during this time of the year. We are witnessing a slight surge in viral fevers, but the important thing is that families can remain safe by taking simple precautions,” says Superintendent, Fever Hospital, Dr Musa Khan.

Doctors have pointed out that prevailing clinical presentation typically includes sudden high-grade fevers, severe body aches (myalgia), extreme fatigue, and respiratory discomfort such as scratchy throats and persistent coughs.

While public anxiety frequently centers around dengue during wet spells, doctors made it clear that a large number of patients test negative for dengue and malaria. The real culprits are the aggressive circulating viral and respiratory strains, they added.

Public health authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant against seasonal diseases by getting rid of stagnant water breeding sites, ensuring safe drinking water, and avoiding self-medication.