Patna: Frequent fluctuations in weather and temperature have led to a rise in viral fever cases with people struggling to adjust to rapidly changing conditions. Patna and several other districts of Bihar have witnessed repeated pre-monsoon thunderstorms, heavy rain and occasional hailstorms in recent days. In the past week, maximum temperatures in Patna have fluctuated between below 30 degrees Celsius and above 35 degrees Celsius.Former Patna Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Kaushal Kishore said, “Tonsillitis, pharyngitis, viral fever and other allergy-related diseases are rising.” He advised people to avoid exposure to extreme temperatures as well as excessive intake of cold water and ice cream.Dr Kishore said, “If people are using air conditioners and keeping very low temperatures, then it is advisable to use a thin blanket at night.” He added that hot saline gargling and anti-allergic medicines may help if symptoms appear.“If throat infection is not treated or taken care of in the beginning, then it may get converted to fever or pneumonia, and in that case, visiting a doctor is a must,” Dr Kishore said. He added that fluctuating temperatures were the primary reason behind the spike in cases and the situation would improve once weather conditions stabilised.Former Indian Medical Association, Bihar president Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, “There has been a slight increase in allergy and viral fever cases over the last few weeks.” He explained that sudden rainfall and unstable weather were allowing pollen and dust to trigger bronchial asthma, skin allergies and conjunctivitis.“Since humans are used to the summer season right now, due to the sudden rains, the immune system is not able to adapt to the weather conditions,” Dr Prasad said. He added that children, elderly people and immunocompromised individuals were more vulnerable.“People should cover their faces to avoid unnecessary exposure to allergens and do proper temperature tuning before going out in the heat from an air-conditioned room and vice versa,” he said.Meanwhile, the IMD in Patna has issued yellow warnings till May 16 for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph in the northeastern parts of the state.
