The nip in the air has led to more children falling prey to viral fever in the last few days, say city doctors.
Doctors suspect that a type of seasonal influenza may be to blame. “We have been seeing more cases of fever combined with vomiting, as compared to the previous week,” said Sanjeev Reddy, consultant paediatrician, Narayan Multispeciality Hospital.
Dr. Reddy treated three patients on Monday, and seven out of 20 inpatients, with these symptoms. “Influenza can typically be present with high fever,” he added.
Sheryl Hegde, consultant paediatrician, Vikram Hospitals, said that there were several cases in the last seven to ten days, of children from nine months to 13 years coming in with high fever. There were 15 to 20 cases in the last few days alone. Along with fever, the other symptoms were runny nose and bodyache, and in some cases the fever was associated with vomiting or diarrhoea. “This is mainly due to the change in weather, which has led to a rise in viral infections,” said Dr. Hegde. Since viral infections spread through contact. He recommended proper hand hygiene to bring down infection rates.
Raghavan, senior consultant, pediatrics, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, confirmed that there was about 30 per cent increase in cases of viral fever in children reported at the hospital. “There have been around 30 cases in the last ten days.”
However, doctors at Vani Vilas Women and Children Hospital said there was no unusual increase in the number of viral fever cases. “We are getting many cases of dengue fever, respiratory infections and snake bites, but no marked increase in viral fever,” said Premalatha, HOD (paediatrics) at the hospital.