India is grappling with a sharp rise in fever cases, with Delhi-NCR experiencing a notable surge in swine flu cases, according to multiple healthcare professionals. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala are also seeing a spike in viral infections due to unusually heavy rainfall, leading to an increase in dengue, swine flu (H1N1), and other viral diseases.

In Delhi-NCR, hospitals are reporting a large number of patients with symptoms such as fever, cough, chest discomfort, body aches, and in severe cases, shortness of breath. These patients span all age groups, including school-going children, with doctors emphasizing the need for early detection and isolation to curb the spread.

This local trend mirrors what diagnostic labs are observing across the country. Surendran Chemmenkotil, CEO of Metropolis Healthcare, a major diagnostic chain, reported a 15-20% increase in fever-related diagnostic tests, primarily due to the spike in diseases during the monsoon season. "We saw a significant demand for tests in July, August, and September, with states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala witnessing the highest numbers due to heavy rainfall," he explained. According to Chemmenkotil, the fever season has been unusually prolonged this year, with cases consistently high over these three months.

The surge in cases has put additional strain on healthcare facilities, with dengue and viral infections being the main contributors. Hospitals and diagnostic services have been working to manage the increase in patients, particularly in the regions most affected by the rains.

In Delhi-NCR, the situation has been particularly concerning, with hospitals like Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) in Gurugram witnessing swine flu cases among both adults and children. "Swine flu is not just impacting high-risk groups but is also affecting school-going children," said Dr Amitabh Parti, director and unit head of internal medicine at FMRI. He attributed the rise to the H1N1 and H3N2 variants, which have seen a recent uptick.

Meanwhile, Agilus Laboratory in Gurugram reported a 15% increase in fever panel tests during September, compared to August. Anand K, managing director and CEO of Agilus Diagnostics, noted that the surge was consistent with the typical fever season, as monsoon rains created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and other disease carriers. Fever panel tests, which check for diseases like dengue, H1N1, chikungunya, and typhoid, have been crucial for early diagnosis and outbreak management.

The elderly, children, and immunocompromised individuals are particularly vulnerable to complications from these infections. Common symptoms of swine flu include a sore throat, runny nose, dry cough, body aches, and general weakness. In more severe cases, the illness can lead to shortness of breath, pneumonia, and oxygen desaturation.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)