Viral influenza on the rise, take precautions

Don't be fooled by the weather, winter is still on. This is the common advice doctors give as there has been a sudden spurt in cases of viral influenza.

Don't be fooled by the weather, winter is still on. This is the common advice doctors give as there has been a sudden spurt in cases of viral influenza.

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Cold mornings, warm afternoons and windy nights fool people into believing that the cold is over. But hospitals and clinics have been increasingly getting cases of high fever, cough, runny nose, body ache — all common symptoms of viral influenza.

"Kids must be properly clad while going to school early in the morning or while playing outdoors," said Dr Anupam Sibal, senior consultant, paediatrics, Apollo Hospital.

"I see more than 20 people with viral symptoms every day, double the number from about a week ago. Most are down with various forms of respiratory tract infection," said Dr SP Byotra, head of department of medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

"It starts with sneezing and soon develops into cold, cough, etc. The change in weather is proving to be a fertile ground for viruses and bacteria to grow and spread rapidly," he added.

A pulmonologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences said, "Children, pregnant women and older people are most prone to getting infected because they have lower immunity. They should visit a doctor at the first sign of chest infection."

Asthmatics must also carry an inhaler with them all the time, doctors advised.

Viral infections are self-limiting and it takes about a week to subside. However, since every bout of fever dehydrates you, doctors advise people to consume huge amounts of water.