Hyderabad: Influenza cases are surging in the city, with the Influenza A strain spreading quietly. Niloufer Hospital and some private children’s hospitals are crowded with patients. Doctors say many people above the age of 60 are getting admitted to hospital. In some patients, the infection turns severe and becomes life-threatening, they said.
Medical experts warn that the virus can seriously affect the lungs if people dismiss it as an ordinary fever. In one such case, a five-year-old from the city developed fever, cough and body aches. Assuming it was an ordinary fever, the family treated the child at home on doctors’ advice.
The symptoms did not subside even after four days. The child then developed breathing difficulty and severe weakness, and the family rushed the child to hospital. Tests confirmed Influenza A infection, and doctors are now treating the child.
Common symptoms include sudden high fever, sore throat, dry cough, severe headache, body aches and fatigue. The virus spreads rapidly through droplets released into the air when people sneeze or cough. According to doctors, people with low immunity face a higher risk of infection. These include young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma.
Influenza A can turn into severe pneumonia, doctors warn
Doctors say it is crucial to tell an ordinary fever apart from a dangerous condition. The infection may look like a normal flu at first. In some patients, however, it quickly reaches the lungs and causes severe pneumonia. This can lead to respiratory failure, they said.
Doctors advise immediate hospitalisation for severe breathing difficulty, rising breathlessness, wheezing, rapid breathing or chest pain. A heavy, tight feeling around the heart is also a warning sign. Falling oxygen levels can turn the lips, nails and face blue. Dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe drowsiness, confusion and nonstop vomiting also need urgent care without delay.
It is better to keep young children away from public and crowded places. Those who must go out should wear a mask. People should wash their hands regularly with soap or sanitiser. They should also avoid frequently touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
Drinking only boiled and cooled water is advisable. A nutritious diet and fruits rich in vitamin C can help boost immunity.