Kolkata: Several hospitals in Kolkata have witnessed a spike in the number of patients suffering from viral diarrhoea, dehydration-induced fatigue and exhaustion due to a sudden spike increase in heat and humidity in the past few days.The number of such patients walking into the outdoor patient departments (OPDs) to seek treatment for such ailments has risen. In the prevailing weather conditions, people in Kolkata are experiencing sweat at this time of the year.Many have suffered from heat exhaustion, fatigue, severe dehydration and diarrhoea. Schools have reported children falling sick in the middle of the ongoing half-yearly exams. Temperature fluctuations that have already triggered a spate of viral infections have added to the woes of Kolkatans.Peerless Hopsital has seen a sudden rise in heat-related ailments since Tuesday. “With the temperature sliding up after a rainy spell, there has been a spurt in viral diarrhoea cases. We have also tested several positive for Influenza A, Para-influenza, RSV and adenovirus,” said Peerless chief microbiologist, Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury.The scenario is quite similar at Charnock Hospital. It has been getting patients of viral diarrhoea, fatigue dehydration.. “The temperature fluctuations have led to such situations,” said Charnock emergency head Nishant Agarwal.BP Poddar Hospital has witnessed a noteworthy spike in patients experiencing excessive weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, dehydration, muscle cramps and unusual exhaustion, following prolonged exposure to heat, over the past two days.“While most of the patients we received with such symptoms managed with adequate hydration and correction of fluid , we had to admit a 47-year-old woman with underlying chronic kidney disease,” said Satyaki Basu, internal medicine consultant at BP Poddar.Sudden rise in temperature and humidity can be hazardous than a gradual increase since human beings need 7 to 14 days to acclimatize to the heat, said ILS Hospital Howrah internal medicine consultant, Arnab Kar. “We are seeing three-four heat related cases every other day, including dehydration, heat cramps and exhaustion,” added Kar.At Techno India DAMA Hospital, patients with fever, exhaustion, body ache and excessive sweating have been treated over the past few days, which is somewhat unusual for early Sept, said doctors. “Some are also reporting abdominal cramps and vomiting. In many cases, the temperature has been reaching around 101°F,” said MS Purkait, medical superintendent, Techno India DAMA. He claimed that these patients have not shown symptoms of malaria or dengue.“These cases are more likely to be associated with seasonal viral infections, including Influenza A, Influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” Purkait added.According to the experts, most patients are being able to manage with symptomatic treatment, including paracetamol for fever, adequate rest and proper hydration. Elderly patients and those with underlying comorbidities may require closer monitoring..“At present, about 10 to 12 patients, predominantly elderly persons, are admitted across the hospital wards,” said Purkait.A large number of children have suffered viral diarrhoea and dehydration due to heat exposure, said paediatrician Santanu Ray.
