PUNE: The seasonal viruses’ comeback has prompted some of the private hospitals in the city to parallelly test suspected Covid-19 patients for influenza viruses, besides the SARS-CoV-2 , to avoid unnecessary administration of steroids, blood thinners and potent antivirals like remdesivir.
A sizable number of Puneites running a fever and having sore throat are testing negative for Covid. Besides vector-borne illnesses, including dengue and chikungunya, other monsoon ailments like diarrhoea, typhoid and skin infections are also on the rise.
Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital’s infectious diseases expert Parikshit Prayag said, “Not all patients with a viral respiratory illness have Covid. This changes the medical management.”
The re-emergence of the seasonal viruses has activated the use of diagnostic RT-PCR panel for other viruses, including subtypes of influenza A, influenza B, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, parainfluenza (all four types) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in addition to the SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19.
“Quite a few patients with suspected Covid are testing positive for influenza viruses, mainly subtypes of influenza A virus. Besides, patients are also testing positive for other common respiratory viruses, including parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus,” Prayag said.
The presence of circulating seasonal viruses seems to be surpassing SARS-CoV-2, the predominant virus till June. Large-scale testing data was needed to conclusively confirm this, though, experts stressed.
“We are running the PCR panel for other viruses. The percentage of Covid positivity at our hospital is 6-7% as against 30% positivity for influenza viruses. Besides, the percentage of dengue and chikungunya positivity is between 14% and 20%,” said microbiologist Maithili Kavthekar, director (laboratory services), Sahyadri Hospital.
Ruby Hall Clinic’s chief executive officer Bomi Bhote said, “We have the facility to test other seasonal viruses. The test is conducted as per the clinicians’ requests. Patients are testing positive for dengue, chikungunya and influenza.”
Experts stressed on following Covid appropriate behaviour though the seasonal illnesses were back. They warned that public at large should not be complacent about Covid.
Senior physician Madhav Dharme said, “Citizens with symptoms should avoid self-medication with antibiotics. We need to keep masking up and observe social distancing.”
Critical care expert Kapil Borawake said, “One should continue to consider all fever patients as Covid unless proven otherwise.”
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