Viral infection cases rise in hospitals as season changes

Hospitals in the city reported an increase in cases of children suffering from respiratory infections with the season changing.

Though fewer cases of dengue have been reported this year, other viral infections are already on the rise since the past two weeks. Children are likely to be vulnerable to such infections till the winter settles in, said doctors.

“Around 90 per cent of patients in the OPD are suffering from upper respiratory infections which are viral in nature. The most prevalent infection is that of fever accompanied with sore throat.

Children between the age group of 1-10 years are the most hit,” said Dr Alok Agarwal, paediatrics head at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.

Children are likely to fall prey to these infections for the next fortnight. “Once winter sets in, cases of pneumonia and asthma will shoot up,” he added.

However, the hospital has recorded 100 dengue cases so far which is far lower than other years.

At Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP), three cases of dengue are being admitted every day. “There have been no deaths,” said Dr A P Dubey, head of paediatric unit, LNJP.

In at least 50 per cent of the OPD cases, patients are suffering from common cold, cough and other respiratory problems. “We have seen a rise in such cases in the last one week. Once the temperature dips further, the dengue cases will come down.”

Though these infections are typical symptoms of season change, doctors said a spurt in cases of respiratory infections has been noticed after Diwali.

“With the air pollution rising post-Diwali, asthma and other respiratory infections are on the rise. Most of the viral diseases constitute 20-30 per cent of the total cases in our OPD here,” said Dr Vikas Tripathi, head of the department, paediatrics, Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital.

To check such infections, doctors suggested there is a need to maintain high level of hygiene like washing hands frequently.