Not deeming the deadly dengue enough, Nature has unleashed another wave of viral diseases sparked by the change in weather on the epidemic-hit provincial metropolis. The visitors to the hospitals have increased twofold, may it be due to dengue or other diseases. Dropping mercury has also not eased the suffering of the citizens as the Aedes mosquito continues to infect patients with the dengue virus at the same rate as before.
“It is not possible to pinpoint one reason for the increase in diseases in the city. Dryness, dropping temperature, bad eating habits on Eid, general lack of cleanliness could all be reasons for the crowded hospitals,” medical experts said.
The burden of dengue patients in the city had not eased while more are pouring in with dengue-like symptoms and other infections. The new set of diseases includes skin infections, upper respiratory tract infections and stomach problems. Doctors said most of these are caused by the hostile weather persisting in the city. “People are not covering themselves up properly even though it is cold now and are hence catching these infections,” experts said.
“The number of patients in my hospital suffering from one disease or the other has doubled,” Allama Iqbal Medical College principal and Jinnah Hospital CEO Dr Javed Akram told Pakistan Today.
“Jinnah Hospital’s emergency is attending 1,800 to 2,000 patients a day while the normal routine count is 1,000 to 1,500. Similarly 4,500 to 5,000 patients are reporting to the OPD which is much higher than normal,” Akram revealed.
He said people visiting health establishments included patients suffering from influenza, parainfluenza, skin infection, typhoid, cough, gastroenteritis, acidity and diarrhoea. But those being admitted were mostly suffering from cardiac problems, he said. According to medics, the increased consumption of fatty food on Eid also leads to blood pressure and diabetic problems.
Similar trend was observed in public hospitals of the city. Children Hospital sources also confirmed the rise in attendance of patients in hospital.
Dr Shahid from Institute of Public Health said children were more prone to the viral diseases like influenza, fever and cough due to limited immunity in their body. Family Physicians Association President Dr Tariq Mian said the changing weather was the reason for higher rate of cardiac-related problems. He was of the view that human body takes time to adjust to changing weather.
The pollen concentration in the air is also causing different infections to people with sensitive skin and respiratory systems, Akram said. According to metrological office, the pollen intensity per meter cube on Friday was 14 and could increase if dry weather persists.
