Inclement weather triggers gradual rise in seasonal ailments in Hyderabad

A drop in temperatures and rising humidity levels have triggered an increase in seasonal ailments in Hyderabad, with hospitals reporting more cases of viral fevers and respiratory infections. Health authorities have issued advisories to prevent vector-borne and water-borne diseases.

Hyderabad: A significant drop in mercury levels across Telangana, coupled with higher humidity levels, has triggered a gradual rise in seasonal ailments.

Government and private healthcare facilities have started witnessing a sizable increase in patient walk-ins to outpatient departments with upper respiratory infections, including viral fevers, and ailments related to vector-borne diseases.

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Due to the inclement weather conditions, the outpatient departments at Gandhi, Osmania General Hospital, NIMS and Fever Hospital, besides private nursing homes and clinics in Hyderabad, have started reporting a steady rise in viral fevers and influenza-like illnesses. A large number of cases are also related to vector-borne and water-borne diseases, viral fevers and influenza.

Senior doctors have maintained that most of the initial cases of seasonal ailments are due to changing weather patterns. “Till a few weeks ago, it was quite hot in Hyderabad and now the mercury has come down and there is extensive cloud cover with humidity. The human body does not adjust to such changes quickly, which is enough to trigger fevers,” they said.

Director of Public Health (DPH), Telangana, Dr B Ravinder Nayak urged people to take precautions. “Such weather patterns are expected to bring lower temperatures and higher humidity, potentially triggering a rise in seasonal illnesses, particularly vector-borne, water-borne and airborne diseases,” he said.

While the DPH has maintained that elaborate arrangements have been made at all government hospitals to meet the extra rush of patients, experts on seasonal diseases have urged families to be proactive and observe preventive measures, especially against mosquitoes that lead to dengue, malaria and chikungunya.

Advisory from DPH, Telangana:

Mosquito-borne ailments: (Vector-borne ailments)

• Doors and windows must be secured with mosquito nets/screens.

• Beds/cribs should be covered with mosquito nets.

• Use mosquito repellents as a precaution.

• Maintain domestic drains to prevent water stagnation.

• Domestic septic tanks should be covered with a mesh to prevent mosquito breeding.

• Observe ‘Friday-Dry Day’ every week to prevent stagnant water around your house.

Water-borne ailments: (Acute Gastroenteritis, Jaundice and Typhoid)

• Drink filtered or boiled water.

• Wash hands, especially before and after meals.

• Avoid eating stale food from outside.