A rise in viral flu cases have been reported in Mumbai as monsoon season hits the economic capital of India, most common being dengue and swine flu. Healthcare experts are alarmed by the growing number of patients presenting with symptoms such as high-grade fever and severe throat pain. Doctors are advising the public to take essential precautions to curb the spread of these seasonal infections.
To understand what kinds of cases are common and how to take precautionary measures, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Neeraj Kumar Tulara, General Medicine and Infectious disease specialist, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai.
Rising Flu Cases In Mumbai
When asked what type of flu cases are frequent, Dr Tulara said, “At the moment, our hospital is recording outbreaks of the flu, a situation attributable to influenza seasonality. Stress has been established in presenting the most frequent strains, which include Influenza A, (H1N1 & H3N2) and Influenza B, likewise, the flu-like semi viral respiratory infections are on the rise.”
Talking about what common symptoms are being seen amongst people these days, he said, “During monsoon people are generally having high fever, body pains, headache, throat and chest pains, running or blocked nose, coughing, and usually are feeling very tired. Patients also experience different side effects located in the gastrointestinal tract such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.”
Dengue, malaria, and swine flu are quite regular during this time of the year. Talking about the currently registered cases alone at Hiranandani Hospital, Dr Tulara said, “The dengue cases have been reported as 30 and malaria as 15, and swine flu cases as 20 this week in our hospital. These diseases, normally, show increasing tendency during this time due to the high breeding of mosquitoes and change of weather.”
Also read: Cholera Outbreak In Pune: Tips To Prevent Cholera In Monsoon
Why The Surge In Mumbai?
The surge in flu cases in Mumbai can be attributed to several factors: During the monsoon season which is more specifically characterised by high humidity and varying temperatures, viruses have all the favourable conditions. According to Dr Tulara, rainwater leads to accumulation of water in areas with poor water-drainage systems hence acting as breeding grounds for mosquitoes hence resulting in diseases such as dengue and malaria. “The fact that there might be a constant change of weather conditions the immune system is likely to get weakened,” he added.
Management And Precautionary Measures
If you are caught with the flu, it is essential to manage your health with the following measures listed by Dr Tulara:
Rest: It is important to take adequate rest to enable the body to combat the infection.
Hydration: Increase your intake of water, herbal teas, and clear broths to ensure that you maintain adequate water intake throughout the day.
Medication: The infected individual should try taking other drugs which are obtainable over the counter on self treatment in order to get rid of some symptoms which include fever and body aches. If you are experiencing signs of an outbreak, seek advice from your doctor regarding antiviral drugs.
Nutrition: Take your vitamins and make sure you take lots of fruits and vegetables to increase a healthy immunity towards the flu.
Hygiene: Ensure that you take your regular hand wash and when that is not possible use hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
Isolation: Do not go out of the house and avoid people and crowded places to avoid spreading of the flu.
Also read: How Long After A Mosquito Bite Can You Develop Dengue?
Preventive Measures
To avoid viral flu, the following preventive measures are recommended:To avoid viral flu, Dr Tulara recommended the following preventive measures:
Vaccination: Obtain the annual flu shot for common strains to prevent.
Hand Hygiene: Before eating or handling your face, make it a habit to be washing your hands with soap and water.
Avoid Crowds: Avoid proximity with many people as much as possible especially during flu season.
Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a healthy diet; balance your meals by including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and engage in regular exercises, and ensure you get enough quality sleep as this will help you build strong immune system.
Face Masks: Cover your face in crowded areas or if you around a sick individual or displaying symptoms of the virus.
Clean Environment: Frequently touched objects such as door handles, stairs, lift buttons among others should often be disinfected at home as well as in offices.