After a spike in heat-related illnesses, doctors are now warning of viral infections after rain

HYDERABAD: Prolonged heatwaves and exceptionally warm weather, especially over the past two weeks, have taken a toll on public health. In addition, sudden rain showers and a subsequent drop in temperatures are likely to increase viral infections. Both government and private hospitals see patients affected by heat-related illnesses including mild heat stroke on a daily basis, with cases increasing as mercury levels rise.

Dr. M. Raja Rao, Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital, said TNIE“There have been four to five cases of severe heatstroke every week in the past month due to intense heat waves. We also have patients at the OPD every day with complaints about heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting) and other complaints. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported to date.”

According to Dr. K Shankar, superintendent of Government Fever Hospital, Nallakunta, the hospital records two to three cases of heat-related illnesses in the OPD every day, though without any serious symptoms. Private hospitals in the city also noted a significant increase in the number of people suffering from heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses in April and the first week of May, especially in the last three weeks when temperatures spiked.

Heat stroke can also occur indoors, says DoctortoR

Dr. G. Navodaya, consultant in internal medicine at a leading private hospital in the city, said that in the past two weeks, at least three out of five patients had come to the OPD due to heat-related illnesses.

“Patients have varied symptoms of heat stroke such as vomiting, nausea, headache, high fever, exhaustion, dullness, cold and cough, fatigue, muscle cramps, joint pain, etc. The biggest misconception that people in general have is that staying indoors is not can lead to heat stroke. But what’s important to understand is that environmental temperatures are the main reason for heat-related illnesses. Therefore, it is crucial to stay in a cool environment as much as possible to avoid heat stroke,” Dr. Navodaya told TNIE.

Viable condition for the growth of infections

As doctors and patients grapple with heat exhaustion and related symptoms, doctors warned that sudden rainfall and a drop in temperature also create ripe conditions for air, water and foodborne infections.

Dr. Expressing concern over a sharp drop in temperature, Rahul Agrawal, Head of Department (Internal Medicine) at a local hospital and an infectious disease specialist, said: “Intermittent rain showers are welcome but these weather conditions are also becoming suitable for viral infections. Upper respiratory infections, throat infections, flu, skin infections and other water-borne diseases such as chikungunya are likely to increase as rains and lower temperatures increase. Moreover, stagnant water holes also become breeding grounds for other vector-borne diseases, so utmost care must be taken to keep the environment clean.”

People with comorbid conditions including diabetes, children and the elderly, those with liver and heart diseases and kidney patients should be more careful, the doctor added.

In addition, staying hydrated, avoiding caffeinated drinks, avoiding excessive heat exposure and maintaining hand, water and food hygiene can prevent possible risks of infections and heatstroke, the doctors pointed out.