The drastic change in weather conditions in the city has led to an exponential increase in the number of viral infection cases.
Doctors say that the conditions this season are so bad that when compared to statistics of viral cases in the last few winters, this year the complaints have risen by almost 200 per cent.
Many general physicians say they have been getting almost 10-15 patients with viral infection every hour.
“A vast majority of people haven’t been able to cope with the sudden change in the weather. Viral infections are on a rise and people need to take precautions. Children and senior citizens, who have low immunity, are worst hit and there are chances of them contracting pneumonia,” explained Dr M Reddy, a general physician at a city hospital.
Further, doctors claim they had not anticipated that change in the weather would affect people in such a large scale.
“Since the virus spreads through the nasal area and then multiplies, it is most commonly seen in buses and other forms of mass public transport. Even if one child with viral infection sneezes or coughs and doesn’t cover, it will spread to others around him,” said Dr Jagadish Rao, a physician at a city hospital. With an increase in cases of indigestion, nausea and vomiting, doctors are also trying to check if viruses are spreading through water consumed.
“Water borne viruses are next to affect people. The virus is now spreading in the air and cough, cold and fever are common problems. However, for someone who is already affected by some kind of respiratory problem like asthma, the problem becomes worse,” said Dr Triveni B S, faculty, Institute of Public Health.
10 Cases Every Hour
Last year, hospitals got around 4-6 cases of viral infection during the peak of winter. “This year similar complaints are coming in, only the conditions are worse. We get almost 10-15 cases every hour. We are asking all patients to stay safe,” said Dr Virren Gowda, general physician, Victoria Hospital.