After Festivities, City In Grip Of Viral Infections |

Vadodara: After nine nights of festive revelry, Barodians find themselves nursing sore throats, mild fever, and bouts of cough and body ache. Doctors point to close contact during the festivities and a shift from hotter days to relatively colder nights as the culprits behind the spike in viral infections.
Dr Ranjan Aiyer, medical superintendent of state-run SSG Hospital in Vadodara said that as the winter is setting in, there is a transition of season.“During the day, you see temperature reaching 34-35 degrees whereas in the early hours, temperature is dropping to as low as 22 degrees,” he said.
“At the same time, Navratri being Gujarat’s biggest social gathering, people indulged in outside food, had irregular timings with inadequate sleep which anyway would lead to lowered immunity. During the transition season, such viral cases are on the surge which we are witnessing currently,” he said.
Paresh Patel, a resident of Kalali said that all three members of his family including him have fallen ill due to severe viral infections triggered by dust allergies and the abrupt transition from hot afternoons to chilly mornings and nights.
“It is chilly in the morning when I go to the office and during the night when I return. But the afternoons are hot. The double season coupled with a lot of unsettled dust due to garba celebrations has taken a toll on my as well as my family’s health,” said Patel, who is suffering from fever and dry cough.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), both maximum and minimum temperatures have been higher than usual for the past four days. However, late nights and early mornings bring a noticeable chill in the air, prompting people to reach for their blankets.
Doctors have advised people to stay hydrated and get adequate rest.
“Normally, viral infections are communicable diseases that spread rapidly whenever there is a large gathering. Viral infections are purely seasonal phenomena. People should avoid consuming cold drinks, ice-creams and those who are already infected should isolate themselves from other members of their family so that it does not get transmitted,” said Dr Mitesh Shah, president of Indian Medical Association, Vadodara.
Parth Patel, a resident of Gotri area of the city said that he has been suffering from bouts of viral fever, cough and congestion since the beginning of the Navratri festivities. “Pre-Navratri, I was already suffering from viral fever for which I had taken some medications. Later, I started enjoying the garba hoping that things would change. But, now I am again down with viral fever and congestion,” he said.
“October and November often see a surge in viral infections due to change in weather, fluctuations in temperatures, and massive social gatherings due to the festive season. But the fever and its symptoms can be taken care of with proper diet, rest and symptomatic treatment,” said Dr Bhavesh Patel.
“We have seen multiple family members complaining of headaches, body aches, mild-grade fever, runny nose, and coughing or sneezing. But with proper care and precautions, especially those who are sensitive to seasonal changes can take care of their health,” he said.