doctors said it could be influenza, which has been persisting for months this year While the infection has been mild. Kolkata: The city is in the grip of a cough-and-fever epidemic that has laid thousands low with just three days to go for the pujas. The outbreak threatens to ruin the joy for many. OPDs have been filled with patients with a low fever and a nagging, persistent cough. But unlike previous outbreaks, it has not been progressing to the lower respiratory tract to cause severe chest congestion or pneumonia.
“For some, it’s starting with high fever, rising up to 103 degrees, along with cough. “I have received 18 patients in three days.
There have been periods of trough but never a break,” said Charnock Hospital emergency head Nishant Agarwal. So far, we have not seen admissions but the number of affected is huge,” said Manipal infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. BP Poddar Hospital OPD has received many patients in the last three days, with persistent cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, mild fever and headache, said Satyaki Basu, consultant internal medicine. None required hospitalisation,” Basu said. RN Tagore Hospital has been swarmed by patients with cough and fever, said Judhajit Sengupta, critical care consultant. “Most mild respiratory symptoms can be managed with adequate rest and fluids but persistent or worsening fever should not be neglected,” he said. Symptomatic patients should avoid crowded places,” said Avijit Bhattacharya, internal medicine consultant, Manipal. Patients at Charnock are being advised to stick to just paracetamol and cough syrup, said Agarwal. “These are self-limiting infections and over-medication may be detrimental,” he said.
“It is likely to be influenza A or B. It’s a viral infection and the symptoms are similar, though milder, than the multiple outbreaks that we had this year. In fact, this one is actually a continuation of the outbreak that started in July. Charnock has been receiving a steady flow of such patients. But fortunately, most of our patients have seen a quick remission of fever, though the cough has been continuing. Barring a couple, none has needed admission and very few had pneumonia so far. Manipal Hospital Dhakuria has seen a similar deluge of patients with fever and cough. “It is not a severe infection but has been leaving people confined to bed with mild fever and weakness for at least four-five days. It’s difficult to say if it’s influenza but it is definitely a viral infection. Two patients, one with underlying COPD and another with a history of chronic asthma, had to be referred to the pulmonology department. As we gradually transition towards the cooler months, significant day-night temperature fluctuations, coupled with intermittent spells of rain, are creating favourable conditions for the spread of seasonal respiratory infections, added Basu. “The elderly with comorbidities should seek immediate medical advice.