Changing climate takes a toll on citizens’ health, viral cases rise

THANE: The changing weather conditions and sudden fluctuations between rain and sun has led to a surge in the cases of viral fever, cold, flu and respiratory tract infections.
As per the data, the flow of patients visiting their general practitioners has risen by over 70 per cent as compared to the last one month. Several patients have complained of body ache, high fever, running nose etc.Several kids have complained of rashes on their body and have been affected by the hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
“Since almost a month many patients have been complaining about cough, fever, body pain, headache and this is due to the fluctuating climatic conditions. Also, amongst these illnesses, most of the people have complaint about throat ache as they are suffering from respiratory tract infections,” said Dr Anjan M, a general physician.
The medical experts stated that these illnesses could even be because of people staying awake till late night due to festivals, eating outside food, having cold beverages etc. Also, when one gets these viral diseases, it immediately spreads to the people around and the whole house ends up falling sick.
Not only adults but even children are suffering from these ailments and there has been a rise in the number of kids suffering from hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
“There has been a rise of around 70 per cent in the number of patients suffering from the flu. Also, as compared to last year there is an increase in children suffering from hand-foot-and-mouth disease. It is also a contagious disease and one gets sores on the feet, mouth etc. In such cases parents are advised to not allow their children to school so that they can take adequate rest,” Dr. Atul Gupte, a local physician.
The doctors have advised citizen to make sure to take preventive steps to stay fit and make their immune system strong by exercising and eating healthy food so that they do not suffer from any illness.
A Kolshet Road resident shared, “The weather is extremely bad and the switch from rain to sun and back to rain is taking a toll on everyone’s toll. In my house, my 3.5 year-old daughter as well as my father-in-law both are suffering from high fever.”
Another parent of a five -year-old said, “My son had to skip school for the last 15 days, as he was down with flu. The doctor advise me to not send him to school as flu is contagious and can be transferred to other kids in the school as well.”
There has been a rise of around 70 per cent in the number of patients suffering from the flu. Also, as compared to last year there is an increase in children suffering from hand-foot-and-mouth disease. It is also a contagious disease and one gets sores on the feet, mouth etc making kids cranky