Cloudy, overcast skies and cooler daytime temperatures create ideal conditions for upper respiratory infections to thrive in Hyderabad
Published Date – Monday, 08 May 23 at 09:00 AM
Hyderabad: Unseasonal rains in April and cloudy weather in May have resulted in an odd public health situation in Hyderabad, with the public having to deal with disease threats that are usually inactive during the height of summer, rather than heatstroke and waterborne illnesses.
Cloudy overcast skies and low temperatures during the day create ideal conditions for upper respiratory infections, especially viral fevers, flu, common colds and Covid infection cases to thrive in Hyderabad.
At the end of this year, apart from Basthi Dawakhanas, private clinics and nursing homes in the city continued to receive a large number of patients, especially children with typical viral fever symptoms.
Doctors in Hyderabad said most patients reported coughing, fever, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. All symptoms were associated with respiratory infections of viral origin. Almost all fever cases are H3N1 (new swine flu), H1N1 (influenza A), and a few are Covid-19.
“Every year in April and May, we usually see a lot of cases of heatstroke. But this year is different due to the prevailing weather conditions. Currently, most of the seasonal illnesses are associated with upper respiratory infections such as flu, Covid and occasionally asthma, said Dr K Shankar, seasonal disease specialist and director of Nallakunta Fever Hospital.
On the bright side, however, there are clear signs that nearly all patients with these symptoms recover quickly with symptomatic treatment. While the high fever was brought under control within two days, it took at least another four to five days for the cough to subside.
Doctors suggest that if an individual develops symptoms such as fever and cough, it is best to stay at home for a day or two until recovery.
