Monsoon diseases keep Patna hospitals on toes – ET HealthWorld

All the big hospitals like Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Patna (AIIMS-P) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) are getting a large number of patients suffering from such diseases though the number of Covid and mucormycosis patients has dropped remarkably.

In fact, the PMCH on Monday created a 12-bed dengue ward as a precautionary measure. “There are no patients of Covid and mucormycosis at the hospital at present. However, the number of high fever, typhoid and diarrhoea patients has increased. As accumulation of water offers a favourable breeding ground to mosquitoes, it causes various ailments, including dengue,” PMCH superintendent Dr I S Thakur said.

IGIMS medical superintendent Dr Manish Mandal too said several viral fever and diarrhoea patients visit the hospital on a daily basis. “Weather casts a big impact on our health. Several microorganisms and insects find the monsoon favourable to grow and infect human beings,” Dr Mandal added.

“Of the total patients reaching the OPD of AIIMS-P medicine department these days, about 40% show symptoms of typhoid, dengue, malaria and acute gastroenteritis,” said Dr Vijay Kumar of the hospital’s medicine department. Cases of fungal infection on skin and high viral fever with cough and cold are also on the rise, he added.

“People should consume freshly-cooked food, clear all small accumulations of water in discarded utensils, used tyres, earthen flowerpots on rooftops and open spaces to check mosquitoes from finding breeding spaces,” Dr Vijay added.

Acting president of the Indian Medical Association-Bihar, Dr Ajay Kumar, said typhoid, dengue and viral fever cases were being detected in large number in rural areas near Maner too.

Dr Satish Kumar of NMCH said 30% of about 400 patients visiting the medicine OPD in a day were being diagnosed with acute viral fever, malaria, diarrhoea, food poisoning and typhoid and few cases of dengue were also detected. “Personal hygiene, consumption of hot food and pure water and cleanliness around homes are the basic tips to keep these diseases at bay,” he added. Dr Kumar said people should also strictly adhere to the Covid protocols and continue to use masks.

“We have also received several calls from Bhagalpur, Siwan, Sitamarhi, Madhepura and rural Patna for suggestion through telemedicine on high fever, sneezing and cough. The memories of immense human sufferings during the second wave of Covid pandemic are still fresh in the minds of the people. On developing high fever and cough, they run for RT-PCR test. After being tested negative, they seek suggestion from doctors on the line of medication,” said Dr Anil Kumar, head of the telemedicine unit of AIIMS P.

Dr Manjula Rani of Government Hospital, Gardanibagh, said seasonal flu, fever and typhoid symptoms were being noticed in many patients.