Flu and other respiratory viruses are among the most common causes of fever and associated ailments in Kolkata at the moment, doctors said.
Many Kolkatans are suffering from low-grade fever, sore throat, fatigue and runny nose.
Doctors said extra care should be taken of the elderly people and those with co-morbidities and they must stay away from anyone suffering from these symptoms.
Sauren Panja, a critical care expert at the RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, said the majority of those suffering from these symptoms are infected with influenza viruses.
“The majority of the infections are caused by influenza viruses. Many people are also suffering from illnesses caused by other respiratory viruses,” said Panja.
Amitabha Saha, head of critical care at AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur, said a large number of people with similar symptoms are visiting clinics. “This is common when the temperature starts dropping. A number of people have been found to be infected with the respiratory syncytial virus. Most of the infections are restricted to the upper respiratory tract,” said Saha.
Doctors said the current weather conditions — a drop in temperature and a nip in the air at night — are ideal for viruses to become more active.
Large gatherings of people during the Puja could have contributed to a faster spread of the viruses.
“These viruses spread through droplets emitted during coughing or sneezing. Naturally, if there are some infected people in a large gathering, the risks of spread increases,” Panja said.
A south Kolkata resident has been suffering from a low-grade fever for three days. She ignored it for two days and started taking medicines on Sunday.
“The doctor did not suggest a dengue test judging by her symptoms,” said a family member. “She is also coughing, having a runny nose and feeling fatigued. She is sleeping a lot.”
Abhirup Sarkar, the laboratory director at Suraksha Diagnostics, said that among the samples tested at Suraksha, a large number were positive for the respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses.
“Among kids, infections with the respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses are most common. In adults, besides these two, we are also finding dengue and chikungunya infections,” he said.
A doctor at a private hospital said they were advising dengue and malaria tests to patients depending on the symptoms.
“We are not suggesting a viral panel test, unless the symptoms are very severe. The test, which can identify the virus, is very costly,” said the doctor.
Vulnerable patients are being advised the test. “There are targeted medicines for influenza, which is why the test is advised to people with severe symptoms, who require hospitalisation and those with comorbidities,” said a doctor.