Sharp increase in cases of diarrhoea, typhoid, high BP and swine flu
Mumbai : Doctors in the city are witnessing a sharp rise in cases of diarrhoea, typhoid, high blood pressure (BP) and swine flu and have attributed this to the soaring temperatures in Mumbai. This has come in the wake of a severe heat wave reported by the city in the past few days.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the heat wave will continue for the next few days, following which the city’s doctors have emphasised the need to stay hydrated, covering the head with a cloth while stepping out and avoiding unnecessary travel during peak hours. The city reported a maximum temperature of 35.2 degrees Celsius and minimum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Further, health experts claim that those with co-morbid conditions such as high BP, diabetes and heart condition should be careful as they are at a high risk of falling prey to heart and kidney diseases. Speaking on the matter, Dr Behram Padriwala, consultant medicine expert at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai Central, said, “Since the past one week, we are witnessing a lot of cases of diarrhoeal diseases, typhoid and influenza virus. Dehydration is causing a lot of problems, which is leading to severe health problems in people. The rising temperature is posing a threat to people as viruses tend to thrive in a humid climate.”
However, swine flu is one virus which has taken the doctors by surprise as even in such high temperatures, the virus is surviving. Dr Om Srivastava, head of infectious diseases at Jaslok Hospital, said, “Fluctuating temperatures are triggering the swine flu virus in the city. Looking at the current trend of the influenza virus, it seems that it is no longer a seasonal virus. Currently, we are treating three swine flu patients; however, all are reported stable.”
Shedding more light on the weather conditions in the city, V K Rajeev, the director at IMD, said, “The temperature reported on Tuesday is one degree above normal. Also, the temperature will continue to be the same for next four days. The reason for the rising temperature is that the nearby regions are witnessing a heat wave, following which our city is also witnessing the same. However, we are hoping it won’t stay for long.”
Manasi Tahalani
