Covid Surge Packs Hospital OPDs: Hoarse Voice, Watery Diarrhoea & Fever Common Complaints

News18

4 days ago

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According to experts dealing with patients at hospital OPDs and admissions, the recovery period after infection in most individuals in this current wave is 'reasonably short'
Hoarse voice, throat pain, diarrhoea, mild stomach cramps, and fever are currently the most commonly reported Covid-19 symptoms in hospital outpatient departments (OPDs) across India.
While hospitals are not observing a significant rise in ICU admissions directly attributable to Covid, there has been a sharp increase in OPD visits. Over the past 10 days, patient footfall has surged by three to four times, indicating a noticeable uptick in mild to moderate cases.
The currently circulating variants—primarily JN.1, NB.1.8.1, and LF.7, all sublineages of Omicron—are associated with high transmissibility but relatively mild clinical manifestations in the general population. However, individuals with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, or compromised immunity, as well as the elderly and young children, may remain at elevated risk.
'At present, we are not seeing a surge in ICU admissions due to Covid-19 directly. However, we are witnessing a marked increase in OPD footfall, with patient visits increasing by nearly three to four times in the past 10 days," Dr Pradeep Bajad, senior consultant, pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at Faridabad-based Amrita Hospital, told News18. 'There is a noticeable sense of panic and heightened health vigilance, especially among individuals with existing comorbidities, senior citizens, and parents of young children."
Common symptoms
The typical symptom profile being reported at hospital OPDs includes low-grade, persistent fever, dry or irritated cough, hoarse voice, nasal congestion or mild runny nose, fatigue and muscle aches, headache, mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhoea, and throat discomfort or sore throat.
The presentation is feverish for most, lasting only a few days. Various upper respiratory symptoms, including hoarse voice and throat pain, also resolve within a day or two.
Dr Charudatt Vaity, director of critical care at Fortis Hospital Mulund, noted that some people are also presenting with complaints of hoarseness or loss of voice. However, he said, the typical symptoms associated with earlier waves of Covid-19, such as loss of smell and taste, are not common now.
In most cases, according to Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, the illness resembles a seasonal viral infection. 'It is reassuring."
Dr Chatterjee has seen a modest uptick in OPD consultations for fever, sore throat, and upper respiratory symptoms, but these, he believes, 'are largely routine and manageable with symptomatic treatment. Hence, there is no cause for alarm at this stage, but we are closely monitoring the situation."
If suffering from diarrhoea, opt for Covid testing
One of the most common symptoms, so far, is painless, watery diarrhoea.
'Many are coming in with diarrhoea. Painless, watery stools for a day or two followed by severe lethargy or fatigue. Lethargy can persist for weeks post-discharge from the hospital. So, any patient who presents with unexplained diarrhoea, check for COVID-19," said Dr Chatterjee.
Similarly, Dr Arup Halder, consultant pulmonologist at CMRI Hospital, Kolkata, told News18 that this time around, some gastrointestinal symptoms have been observed, such as loose motion, nausea, or mild abdominal cramps, notably in young patients.
These symptoms are not severe in most cases, and a significant number of patients can recover at home without hospitalisation.
Dr Bajad explained that the JN.1 variant has demonstrated a tendency to present with gastrointestinal symptoms and prolonged low-grade fever, which distinguishes it from earlier strains.
Echoing a similar observation, Dr Vaity from Fortis Hospital told News18 that he has been seeing patients complaining of mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea and nausea.
Recovery period
According to experts dealing with patients at hospital OPDs and admissions, the recovery period after infection in most individuals in this current wave is reasonably short.
'Several feel better by the third or fourth day. Elderly people or those with underlying severe illnesses might take a little longer to recover fully; meanwhile, even in this group, we are not witnessing prolonged illness or chronic complications as we did in earlier phases of the pandemic," Dr Halder from Kolkata said, adding that presently, there are no patients in the ICUs with Covid-related complications.
However, he said, OPD consultations have increased for people with fever and cold-like symptoms.
Overall, for the vast majority of individuals, especially those who are otherwise healthy, recovery occurs within four to seven days. Patients are generally able to manage their symptoms at home with adequate rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol for fever and pain relief.
Experts told News18 that most cases seen so far do not require antiviral drugs or hospitalisation, underscoring the relatively mild nature of the currently circulating virus strain. However, individuals with comorbidities, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised should continue to exercise caution by maintaining basic hygiene practices, wearing masks in crowded areas, and not ignoring flu-like symptoms.
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Covid fever health hospital
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