Seasonal Flu Viruses: Seasonal Flu Viruses Thrive As City Experiences Unusual Winter | Kolkata News

Seasonal Flu Viruses: Seasonal Flu Viruses Thrive As City Experiences Unusual Winter | Kolkata News

Kolkata: A spate of viruses is back to lay Kolkatans low with Covid-like symptomsfever, cough, body ache, diarrhoea and lung infection in some cases. The temperature fluctuation over the last one week has triggered the viruses that could remain active for a fortnight more, say doctors.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhino virus, human meta-pneumo virus, adenovirus, para-influenza and some influenza viruses have seen a major spurt, said doctors who pointed out that it was difficult to identify a virus unless a test is done.Non-Covid corona viruses have also been detected, said Peerless Hospital microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Choudhury. “Symptoms have been severe for children and the elderly while the rest have had a very mild disease. Most others have been struck by rhino and para-influenza that have been causing fever for 4-5 days,” added Choudhury.
A significant number of fever patients are suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection, said AMRI Hospital infectious diseases consultant Sayan Chakrabarty. “Fever accompanied by a severe cough has been the most common symptoms so far. Rather than the fever, it is the cough that is refusing to go, forcing us to prescribe antibiotics in some cases,” he said.
Mild fever accompanied by a severe cough are the common symptoms this season, according to RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) Intensivist Sauren Panja. “Upper respiratory tract infection triggered by rhino virus and variants of the influenza virus have been striking frequently over the last one week. Temperature fluctuation is a reason for it helps viruses to multiply. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has been leading to loose motion after the fever is subsiding,” said Panja.
He added that antibiotics were not necessary unless the patient had symptoms of a bacterial infection. Internal medicine consultant Arindam Biswas agreed. “Paracetamol and anti-allergic drugs should be used,” said Biswas.
The common viruses trigger similar symptoms that recede in 3-5 days, according to Panja. “But a bacterial infection can lead to complications and delay recovery. The elderly and children are vulnerable,” said Panja.
Those above 65 years and below 12 were susceptible to bacterial infections while suffering from viral fever. “A subsidiary infection could be dangerous unless it is detected early and treated with antibiotics. Many have required hospitalization to tide over the crisis period,” said paediatrician Shantanu Ray.
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