New Delhi: Weather change has led to a sharp increase in the case of viral diseases other than Covid-19.
The city hospital said they were flooded with seasonal influenza cases, and compared to last year, also witnessed a significant increase in the case of swine flu – also known as the H1N1 virus.
“At least two patients are positively confirmed for swine flu being treated at our hospital,” said Dr.
Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant, pulmonology and critical treatment, Apollo Hospital.
He added that the two patients came with high fever and difficulty breathing, which is also a symptom of Covid-19.
“But the test shows they don’t suffer from Covid.
Therefore, we run more tests and find that they suffer from swine flu,” said Dr.
Chawla.
Swine flu caused a pandemic in India in 2009.
However, over the past few years, the cases have been significantly reduced, and most people affected tend to recover without serious complications, said Dr.
Rommel Tickko, Director, Max Max Saket.
“Suddenly there was a sudden surge in a seasonal influenza case.
Examples of swine flu also rose, but it was quite common for now this year.
People rushed to hospitals mostly because they fear that the symptoms can be caused by covid- 19, “he added.
According to Dr.
Atul Gogia, a senior consultant, internal treatment, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, from all patients who came with complaints of high fever, coughing, and chest congestion, 80% was a seasonal flu case.
“About 20% of swine flu cases,” he said.
“Covid is still here, but another influenza virus that exists before it is also not reduced completely.
We tell our patients not to panic and take all precautions,” another doctor said.
Both Covid-19 and flu (also referred to as seasonal influenza) cause respiratory disease and transmitted through contacts, droplets, and fomites.
However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are some differences between the two infections and how they spread.
“Influenza has a shorter median incubation period (time from infection against the appearance of symptoms),” WHO said, adding that, while the range of symptoms for two similar viruses, fractions with severe diseases looks different.
Covid-19 causes higher mortality compared to seasonal influenza.