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Infections on the rise again

Common illness : Cases of respiratory tract diseases are increasing due to varying temperature
Last Updated 05 February 2014, 14:08 IST

The flu is in the air once more and many Bangaloreans are falling prey to it. The fluctuating weather condition — the high day-time temperature and the drastically low night temperature — is leaving many with severe cold and cough accompanied by fever and body ache.

Doctors in the City say that they have been noticing a sharp rise in infections. They also point out that they have at least 10 patients visiting them a day with symptoms
of flu.

Prarthana S, a post-graduate student, was in the City on a break from the USA, but was down with fever for three days. “I caught the bug soon after coming here. I’ve been getting it on and off. Many of my friends here also have had the same symptoms,” she says.

“Initially, I didn’t take any medicines but when there were no signs of it subsiding,
I had to start medication. There’s no point spending
the entire holiday feeling sick,” she adds.

IT professional Krithika K’s bout of sickness began with dust allergy. “Initially,
I took self-medication. But then it began to get worse and I was down with viral fever. I’ve had flu twice in the last one month and it’s been difficult to take time
off work,” she says adding, “Now my dad is down with fever.”

Dr V Shankar, a consultant at Manipal Northside Hospital in Malleswaram, points to
influenza B, which is on the rise. “In the last three weeks, there has been a sudden increase in the number of those catching the flu. Along with it, patients are also
contracting influenza B, the symptoms of which include cold, cough, throat pain, dehydration, loss of appetite along with fever.

But what is happening is that although the fever subsides, the cough lasts for about two to three weeks. Some non-asthmatic patients are even developing temporary wheezing,” he adds. According to him, patients take anywhere
between 10 days and three weeks to recover.

Pointing out that the flu is likely to be in the air for another month at least, Dr Mythri Shankar, senior consultant, Apollo International Hospital, says, “The weather is the problem. The fluctuation in temperature is affecting the respiratory tract, which is the reason for the rise in infections.

But it is important for people to note that they must not try any medication on their own. They must consult the doctor prior to taking any medicines because sometimes, there is no need to for any antibiotics to be taken.” She also points out that
in some cases, even strong antibiotics have turned resistant and are not working effectively.

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(Published 05 February 2014, 14:08 IST)

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