Bacterial Infections Spike In Viral Season, Rise In Hosp Admissions |

Kolkata: While viral pneumonia is common at this time of the year, bacterial pneumonia cases have overtaken the former at several hospitals this season. Along with a spate of viruses, bacterial infections have been spiralling rapidly across the city with several hospitals having witnessed a risein admissions over the last one week. They have been leading to complications, especially in the case of patients who have a dual viral and bacterial infection, say physicians.
Bacterial pneumonia is triggered by streptococcus pneumoniae while the viral one could be caused by multiple viruses. It is often more severe than the viral one, say physicians who have been left surprised by the sudden spurt during a season which is known for viral pneumonia.
AMRI Hospital infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty said he has come across at least 10 cases of bacterial pneumonia in the last 10 days. “It’s been spiraling fast, often with severe symptoms. This is community-acquired pneumonia and has been leading to complications, especially in the case of elderly patients with comorbidities. Thankfully, there has been a plateauing and a slight decrease in viral pneumonia cases,” said Chakrabarty.
At Peerless Hospital, too, bacterial pneumonia and other forms of bacterial infections have been on the rise. Other than bacterial pneumonia, klebsiella, which also triggers pneumonia, e-coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa have been frequently detected, according to Peerless microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chowdhury. “Till last week, we saw a spurt in viral infections, including virus-triggered pneumonia. Over the last seven days, bacterial infections have been more common which is a little unusual at this time of the year,” said Chowdhury.
He added that cases of dual infections, too, have been detected. Internal medicine experts said it could take a week to two weeks for these patients to recover. “We have been coming across klebsiellae that triggers community-acquired pneumonia and not the urinary infection-triggering one.,” he said.
Out of 31 pneumonia patients now admitted at BP Poddar Hospital, 25 are suffering from bacterial pneumonia. Charnock Hospital, too, has seen a rise in cases, though doctors said it was ‘not yet alarming’. “There has been a slight increase in number,” said a hospital representative.
While the common viruses trigger similar symptoms which recede in three-five days, according to internal medicine consultants. A bacterial infection can lead to complications and delay recovery, they said. “Fluctuations in the early morning temperature is one of the causes for triggering a bacterial infection which is primarily affecting the lower respiratory tract, mainly the lungs. With the lungs infected, it quickly manifests in acute pneumonia,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group CEO, B P Poddar Hospital.
“The elderly and children are more vulnerable,” said internal medicine consultant Arindam Biswas.
Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia are severe and different from that of virus-triggered pneumonia, pointed out Chakrabarty.