Hyderabad sees spike in viral fevers, dengue-like illnesses amid wet Weather

Government hospitals and Basthi Dawakhanas in Hyderabad are witnessing a surge in viral fevers, influenza-like illnesses and suspected dengue cases following persistent wet weather. Health experts have urged people to seek timely treatment, even as many dengue-like cases are testing negative.

Hyderabad: Inclement weather conditions prevalent for the past several days have created ideal conditions for a surge in viral fevers, suspected dengue cases and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI).

For the past few days, the outpatient wings of government hospitals, including Fever Hospital, Gandhi Hospital and Osmania General Hospital (OGH), have been witnessing a spike in number of patients with fever, respiratory distress in the form of scratchy throat, cough, body aches (myalgia), extreme fatigue, and weakness that can make daily activities difficult.

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Basthi Dawakhanas are also receiving patients with typical ILI symptoms, including abrupt onset of fever, prostration, i.e., severe debilitating fatigue and exhaustion that lingers till the fever subsides.

Several patients also complain of chest discomfort, including a deeper, more painful cough accompanied by retrosternal (chest) tightness or soreness. They are also reporting chills and sweats, which are bouts of severe shivering and intense sweating.

“We are witnessing cases wherein individuals are developing sudden high-grade fever of 104 and even 105, intense headaches caused by sharp pain directly behind the eyes. We are also seeing rashes, which are typical symptoms of dengue. However, when patients are getting tested, they are testing negative for dengue,” says senior paediatrician and an authority on Dengue, Dr Madapa Karuna.

Some of the other typical dengue-like symptoms include body aches, debilitating muscle pain and joint pain that affect the limbs and lower back. Patients are also displaying symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort in the form of nausea, vomiting, and a general loss of appetite.

“We have made proper preparations at Basthi Dawakhanas for seasonal diseases. We urge people to visit government hospitals and get treatment instead of ending up paying out of pocket in private nursing homes and clinics,” Director of Public Health, Telangana, Dr B Ravinder Nayak.