Pune: Doctors across the city have warned patients to be cautious in light of erratic weather, which leads to a rise in viral infections among all age groups. The worst-affected patients are mostly children and senior citizens, as they have low immunity. City-based doctors advised taking precautionary methods to avoid the spread of infections.
According to data furnished by the Health Department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in the month of July, out of 141 suspected patients, 44 have tested positive for dengue while seventeen people tested positive for chikungunya and three have been tested positive for malaria.
Speaking about the ill effects of these infections on daily life, Manali Ekatpure, a UPSC aspirant said that she is unable to study for the past three days.
“Initially, it was just a throat irritation, however, now I also have a fever and severe headache due to cough and cold. Though my doctor has prescribed me medicines, the infection is severely affecting my studies and daily schedule. Many of my friends, who are studying for competitive examinations, have the same condition, as there is a weather change,” said Ekatpure.
Dr Dinesh Lalwani said that the preliminary symptoms are cough, cold, body pain, fever and indigestion.
“If the patients are having these symptoms for longer than three to five days, the patients should visit their family doctor. As the weather conditions change, there is more mosquito breeding in stagnant water. As a result, diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya are on the rise. As the symptoms for all are the same, many times the diseases do not get diagnosed on time,” said Lalwani.
Case of cholera
The first case of cholera in this year was reported by the Health Department of PMC on Friday. Cholera, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
