Cases of diarrhoea, skin issues on the rise in Patna

Patna: Hot and humid weather has not only made life of residents miserable, but also led to health issues like diarrhoea, skin problems as well as bacterial and viral infections.

Even the threat of vector-borne diseases has started looming in this season as few cases of dengue have been reported in different hospitals of the state capital.

"Many people with fever are coming to the hospital. Apart from viral fever, we have treated three cases of dengue this month. Even gastroenteritis cases have witnessed a rise. We have seen eight to nine such cases in last few days, including two serious patients who were saved with quick medical aid," said Dr Divendu Bhushan, associate professor and head of emergency medicine at AIIMS-Patna.

Dr Bhushan stressed on the need to maintain hygiene in this extreme weather and also cautioned people of vector borne diseases. He said vector borne diseases would witness a rise in the state in the next two to three weeks.

Consultant (internal medicine) at Jaya Prabha Medanta, Dr Neeraj Bharti said the concentration of bacteria and virus increases in such weather, leading to infections like influenza or fever.

"We have witnessed nearly 20 to 25 per cent increase in such cases at his hospital. Four dengue patients are also admitted at present. However, all the patients have travel history, who came from outside the state," he said.

General medicine head at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Dr Naresh Kumar pointed towards cases of fever and cough in the outpatient department of his unit. He said those with allergies, if exposed to such an atmosphere face health issues.

Meanwhile, hot weather has also affected children's health as skin problems have increased in them. "Children's glands get enlarged because of skin infection like boils. Nearly 30 to 40 per cent of children are coming with such issues," said former head of the pediatric department at PMCH, Dr Nigam Prakash Narain.

He said apart from skin issues, a large number of cases of diarrhoea in children were being reported which was due to water contamination and fomite borne infections, which have doubled at present, Dr Narain added.