Fresh viral spurt across city as rain, sun play hide and seek
This unleashed the seasonal viruses yet again, at a time when viral and bacterial infections kept most hospitals fully occupied.
"Over the past few weeks, there's been a noticeable uptick in influenza activity across Kolkata, particularly since the beginning of the monsoon season in July, when respiratory viruses often flare up. More febrile illnesses are reporting at our OPD now," said Jayanta Datta, senior internal medicine consultant, Charnock Hospital.
"This is indeed worrying since we have seen a sudden footfall rise in our OPD and this would invariably increase admissions. Since we are running at near full capacity, it would again be a challenge to find beds for critical patients," said a hospital head.
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The rise in temperature followed a prolonged rainy spell during which the maximum temperature dropped to 29°C last Friday. It has been crawling up since Monday, triggering yet another cough and cold epidemic in the city, with hundreds suffering from upper respiratory tract infections and an obstinate cough.
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BP Poddar Hospital OPD has been receiving 15–20 patients daily, including school students and senior citizens. Respiratory illnesses are especially severe among the elderly, particularly those with COPD or a history of hospitalisation during Covid, in some cases requiring CCU or ward admission, said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant physician. "This has contributed to the existing bed crisis. The dominant viruses are Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2) and Influenza B, followed by rhinovirus, adenovirus, and streptococcus pneumoniae.
Abrupt weather changes, combined with frequent transitions between air-conditioned spaces and outdoor heat, are increasing the severity and duration of illnesses," added Aich Bhaumik.
The heat and humidity tend to elevate pollution levels, triggering allergic reactions in many individuals, said Fortis Hospital internal medicine consultant Joydeep Ghosh. "People often take multiple showers, consume cold drinks, or switch rapidly between outdoor heat and indoor air-conditioning.
Such abrupt temperature changes challenge the body's ability to regulate its internal temperature, sometimes impairing immunity and leading to respiratory discomfort.
The transition from hot, dusty streets to chilled indoor environments, especially when repeated frequently, can stress the body's defences," added Ghosh.
Most patients had a mild fever followed by a persistent cough that refused to go. There was a spurt in Influenza A (H1N2), para-influenza, rhinovirus, and enterovirus, say doctors and microbiologists.
Peerless Hospital detected 20-30 cases of Influenza A and B, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), typhoid, and scrub typhus in the last week. "This is the season for seasonal influenza or Influenza A and many have got tested with symptoms. We have also detected several dengue cases in viral panel tests in the last week. This could last several weeks, going by the temperature fluctuations and the consistent rain," said Peerless Hospital chief microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury.
Seasonal viruses pushed OPD footfalls by 15-20% in the last ten days at Woodlands Hospital. "The elderly with existing comorbidities, and those with weakened immunity are being particularly affected. Patients typically present with moderate to high-grade fever, dry or minimally productive cough, headache, body ache, general malaise, and at times, loose watery stools," said Soutik Panda, critical care head, Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital.
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