Seasonal illnesses surge in Hyderabad amid weather transition

Hyderabad hospitals are witnessing a surge in seasonal illnesses amid the transition from winter to summer. Doctors report a spike in influenza-like infections and respiratory ailments, with H3N2 in circulation, even as no official advisory has been issued by health authorities.

Hyderabad: With Hyderabad in the midst of transition from winter season to summer, people in the city are grappling with a wave of seasonal ailments.

Government hospitals in Hyderabad, especially Fever Hospital at Nallakunta, Gandhi and Osmania General Hospital and local Basthi Dawakhanas have continued to record a spike in cases of viral fevers, especially influenza-like illnesses.

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According to the Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) at Gandhi and Fever Hospital, Nallakunta, a majority of the cases reported at Outpatient wings are related to upper respiratory tract infections.

The local private clinics and nursing homes too are witnessing a steady inflow. The District health authorities have maintained that most of the patients visiting Basthi Dawakhanas have dry cough, lethargy and low and low grade fever and severe body aches.

“We have also seen a few patients with Covid like symptoms, which we suspect is influenza. There is a spike in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI). The dry chilly air makes it easier for viruses like H3N2 and influenza B to spread quickly,” senior district health authorities tracking daily disease surveillance, said.

Doctors said that the ongoing weather transitions and wide temperature gap between maximum and minimum temperatures tend to disrupt the body’s thermoregulation and thus weaken the immune response.

“A few days ago, a 30-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital from Warangal in a very serious condition. The patient was struggling with Covid like symptoms and her lungs were completely infected. She is on ECMO-ventillator support. There is no indication of proper surveillance of influenza-like conditions in districts,” a senior doctor from a corporate hospital in Secunderabad, said.

Doctors pointed out the ongoing weather conditions have provided an ideal window for viruses to thrive. It is equally important for people to be alert and take precautions,” district health authorities on Thursday said.

Doctors said that at present, the majority of the viral infections are influenza cases. The H3N2 subtype is under circulation, since the past several weeks, they point out.

However, there has been no advisory or acknowledgement from the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) wing about influenza and no specific information is available in the influenza subtype.

Some symptoms:

• Cover mouth/ nose with tissue paper during cough/ sneeze.
• Wash hands often with soap and water
• Patients should avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth frequently
• Stay away from public places in case of fever, cough and sneezing.
• Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food.
• Adequate ventilation with outdoor air is recommended in all settings to reduce the transmission
• Stay at home and limit contact with others if you are sick