Viral Attack
© Times of India

Kolkata: The city is in the grip of a viral fever that has affected thousands, including many in Ballygunge, Alipore and parts of central Kolkata. It has been leading to high fever accompanied by a severe lung and chest infection, often causing severe respiratory problems. Experts have been taken by surprise by the late outbreak of this viral epidemic which usually occurs during change of seasons.

The new virus is far more potent and different from the ones that have struck in previous years, said doctors. "This one has been attacking the respiratory system which makes it more risky. Patients have been suffereing from severe breathlessness along with an intense joint and muscle pain. Many are also falling prey to secondary bacterial infections.

There have been several cases where malaria has been detected in these patients as well," said Tomonash Bhattacharya, tropical medicine expert. Typical symptoms of the viral attack has been a dry cough, followed by high fever and joint pain. From the third day onwards, patients have had a severe lung congestion with respiratory trouble. The fever has not been subsiding before a week leaving victims too frail to resume normal activities. "It is the reactive phenomenon that has been causing the joint and muscle pain. Anti-bodies triggered to fight the virus is responsible for this.

But it still remains unclear how the respiratory tract is being affected so severely. We encounter new strains every year and this one seems to be an alteration of its previous avatars," said Debashish Basu, preventive medicine specialist. Use of anti-biotics has been ruled out by doctors. Paracetamols are being recommended to check the fever along with blood tests. Care should be taken to make sure that the viral attack does not conceal viral infections like dengue and chikungunya. Secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia could also accompany the viral attack, doctors pointed out. "In many cases, blood tests have also revealed malaria, which is a worry. This means the disease is back and could be mistaken for this viral fever," said Bhattacharya.

Even though it is too early for a malaria outbreak, inconsistent rain over the last one month could have hastened it, some feared. "Scanty rainfall helps mosquito breeding. This year we have had erratic rain followed by a spell of intense heat which has forced many to reject the mosquito net. This has obviously led to a spurt in malaria. But it's still not an outbreak," said Bhattacharya. Twenty to 25 per cent of blood tests have so far been positive in the malaria-prone pockets of the city like Kolutola, College Street, Taltala, Beniapukur and parts of Tollygunge. The onset of monsoon could help to curb the viral outbreak, felt experts.

"A viral outbreak is unusual in peak summer for the virus dies out in heat. But this is a heat-resistant variety that has appeared in May. Other than adults, it has been affecting children as well, especially those aged between three and five years. Youngsters are more vulnerable due to their low resistance. Many are suffering from dehydration while some have also had seizures induced by high fever," said paeditrician Shantanu Ray. Liberal fluid intake has been recommended by doctors. "It's also advisable to avoid the mid-day heat. In case you can't, drink water and wear a cap. Be careful about the water you drink and avoid street food like sliced fruits which are prone to infection," added Ray.