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Dengue-like fever panics patients, baffles doctors

But the reports turn out to be negative; inclement weather to blame
Last Updated 13 November 2014, 04:23 IST

A spurt in cases of dengue-like fever in the City over the last one month has panicked patients and left doctors befuddled. Further aggravating the problem is the rise in cases of other viral infections.

Many hospitals across Bengaluru have been recording at least 30 cases of dengue-like fever on an average every week. Patients have been complaining of all the usual dengue fever symptoms—joints pain, rashes, increase in body temperature and decrease in platelet count. But when they are tested for dengue, the reports turn out to be negative, according to doctors.

These symptoms last about four days, said Dr K N Manjunath, consultant physician at Vikram Hospital. “Patients show flu-like symptoms. They complain of sever joints pain, rashes and a rise in temperature. The platelet count also goes down. But their reports for dengue test will be negative,” he told Deccan Herald on Wednesday. Besides, other viral infection cases are also being reported. “Flu-like symptoms such as cough, cold, soar throat, fatigue and tiredness are also common,” he added.

Doctors say they have no option but to give symptomatic treatment for dengue-like fever. “Patients have fever and rashes. They complain of body pain for at least four days. The platelet count drops, but as not as low as in dengue positive cases,” explained Dr Ravi Keerthi, consultant, Internal Medicine, BGS Global Hospitals. Not much, though, is known about the virus causing this problem, he added. 

Dr Manjunath Sharma, paediatrician at Gunasheela Hospital, said that children were increasingly complaining of viral diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and tonsillitis. “We have seen groups of people getting affected with viral infections. Families and even communities are getting affect,” he explained and attributed the spurt in such cases to weather.

Doctors advise precautionary measures such as proper hand hygiene, consumption of boiled and cooled water and avoiding contact with the infected.

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(Published 12 November 2014, 20:24 IST)

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