Cough, sore throat, fever? Delhiites reeling under flu

NEW DELHI: Seasonal flu seems to have hit Delhi in the past two months as many residents are battling symptoms like sore throat, fever, runny nose and chest infection, which many doctors blame on changing weather.

According to doctors, nearly 90% patients these days complain of high-grade fever — 102 degrees Fahrenheit or above — and severe cough. Initial symptoms usually include sore throat and body ache.

“I see at least 10 patients suffering from flu each day with severe symptoms,” said Dr Atul Gogia, senior consultant, department of medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “This month has been particularly bad with unusually high number of cases,” Gogia added.

The pollution only makes the symptoms worse as people tend to develop secondary bacterial infections that need a course of antibiotics and takes longer to treat, said doctors.

For some people, it is pollen allergy that aggravate asthma symptoms and they land up in a hospital with wheezing or shortness of breath.

“It is taking longer for symptoms to settle down; normally three to five days is enough time to recover but we see people with symptoms for even 10 days to two weeks,” said Dr Srikant Sharma, consultant, department of medicine, Moolchand Hospital.

In most cases, symptoms are self-limiting and do not require medicines.

At most, doctors prescribe symptomatic treatment and warn against using antibiotics till the disease is limited to the upper respiratory tract.

“We usually prescribe symptomatic treatment to bring down fever and decongestant drugs. It also helps to drink plenty of warm fluids such as soup, herbal tea etc. to keep the body well hydrated as Young children (up to 5 years), elderly (above 60 years), those with lower immunity such as diabetics, hypertensive, etc Avoid exposure to cold air Avoid early morning or late evening walks as temperature is colder during that time

Keep as warm as possible. It’s still not the weather to ditch light woolens

Use warm water for bathing and washing Avoid chilled drinks. Drink lukewarm fluids that help in clearing the chest congestion instead Maintain hand hygiene: wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer Cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing Don’t use handkerchief; use a tissue and discard after each use

fever tends to dehydrate the body,” said Dr RK Singal, director, internal medicine, BLK Super-speciality Hospital.

If the infection goes down to the lungs and leads to bronchitis or pneumonia, it may require a dose of antibiotics.

The worst affected in this weather are the children, people above 65 years of age, and those with low immunity owing to underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis, among others.

“This group needs to be extra careful and see a doctor immediately after developing symptoms,” said Dr Singal.

It is taking longer for symptoms to settle down; normally 35 days is enough time to recover but we see people with symptoms for even 10 days to two weeks. SRIKANT SHARMA, consultant, department of medicine, Moolchand Hospital