Via India Today: As mercury rises, a 'dengue-like fever' has Delhi doctors worried. Excerpt:
With the sudden increase in temperature, patients suffering from dengue like fever has become a major concern for the doctors these days. Doctors have called it a 'wake up call' for Delhiites before sweltering summer of May and June.
In just a couple of days, the cases of viral fever presenting dengue like symptoms, allergies, respiratory illnesses, tuberculosis, pneumonia, jaundice and gastrointestinal disease has risen up to 30 percent, said city's leading health experts. This year, doctors say that they can see a change in the pattern of diseases being reported with early onset of summers and hence, people should be extra alert.
On Friday, with 36 degree Celsius[96.8ºF], the city was welcomed to a hot and sweltering day. It is important to note that the season for vector-borne diseases begins in mid-July and generally lasts till November-end. However, health experts have warned that this year mosquito borne cases have started to come up early.
Speaking to MAIL TODAY, Dr Sanjeev Bagai, vice-chairman and director of Mainpal Hospital (Dwarka) said, "From a couple of days, viral fever cases we are witnessing at the OPD are representing dengue like symptoms. Patients are having rashes over their body with high grade fever complaining nausea, vomiting and allergies. If the fever persist for more than two days, they should see a doctor at early and do not rely on self medication at all."
"Since last two weeks, lots of patients are complaining summer related health illness and it has risen up to 25 to 30 per cent. Cases of gastrointestinal diseases such as typhoid, food poisoning, diarrhea and viral fever have started to increase. Strangely, these viral fevers have similarity with dengue fever. There should be more intake of water to keep the body hydrated," said Dr SP Boytra, Chairman of Internal Medicine department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
