Viral outbreak clones dengue symptoms, lay city low with fever, rigour and rashes
Times of India | 7 November 2024
Kolkata: A non-mosquito-borne virus has struck the city with symptoms similar to those of dengue — high fever, rigor, body rashes, and joint pain. While doctors have been prescribing tests for dengue and malaria to most of these patients, very few have tested positive for either, pointing to a viral outbreak. Temperature fluctuations may have activated a range of viruses, said experts. The city's maximum temperature dropped to 26°C on Oct 24, five notches below normal. It then climbed up to 32°C earlier this week and reached 30.5°C on Wednesday.
"I have come across multiple patients with excruciating joint pain, shivering and fever over the last week. They all tested negative for dengue. The joint pain persisted even after the fever subsided. It could be a virus triggered by temperature fluctuations or a mutated version of influenza," said internal medicine consultant Arindam Biswas.
Peerless Hospital has been receiving cases of human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus, apart from dengue. "Not many are tested, and the fever with dengue-like symptoms could be any of these," said chief microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury. Most viruses remain undetected since hospitals and patients don't conduct tests once symptoms start receding. A private hospital with multiple units said they don't admit viral attack patients unless they are in a critical condition.
It is difficult to identify a virus unless a test is done, said some doctors. But it is the viral fever with body rashes that has doctors worried. It is striking children more frequently. "The rash is leading to a dengue scare. But it's neither dengue nor measles. Like dengue, the viruses are very severe this time with the fever persisting for a week. The accompanying symptoms like body ache, diarrhoea, and vomiting, too, have been severe," said paediatrician Shantanu Ray.
The common viruses trigger similar symptoms which recede in three to five days, according to RN Tagore Hospital intensivist Sauren Panja. "But a bacterial infection can lead to complications and delay recovery. The elderly and children are vulnerable," said Panja. Those above 65 years of age and below 12 were susceptible to bacterial infections while suffering from viral fever. "A subsidiary infection could be dangerous unless it is detected early. Many have required hospitalization," said Ray.
"So far, influenza viruses seem to be very active but cases have been mild to moderate. Symptoms, including fever, have been receding in three to five days. But now, the symptoms have turned similar to dengue" he added.
The common viruses trigger similar symptoms which recede in three to five days, according to Fortis Hospital internal medicine consultant Joydeep Ghosh. "While dengue has not struck this time, there is a spate of viral infections. We have had hundreds of influenza patients between July and Sept. The viral symptoms are moderate and patients are recovering in five to six days," said Ghosh.