In the initial fortnight of December, Kerala grapples with a persistent fever surge, reporting 150,369 cases and two fatalities, as per data from the Directorate of Health Services. The total fever cases in November reached 262,190, prompting concerns from healthcare professionals who anticipate surpassing last month’s figures unless proactive measures are implemented. Doctors emphasize the threat posed by severe symptoms requiring hospitalization and highlight the prolonged symptoms observed in some patients post-infection. Dr. Anil N X, a senior consultant in internal medicine, attributes the situation to factors like the post-COVID era, immunity fluctuations, and seasonal influences.
Experts stress the importance of clinical diagnosis, as extended fever durations become more common. Dr. Sivaprasad P S, the state nodal officer for the AMR Programme Hub, underscores the need for adherence to government guidelines and discourages consulting multiple doctors for fever-related issues. Recognizing symptoms like runny nose, cough, throat pain, body pain, and fatigue, experts caution against overlooking critical signs such as breathing difficulty and altered sensorium.
While the current fever cases align with last year’s figures, experts urge caution, emphasizing the avoidance of unnecessary crowding and reinforcing preventive measures like mask-wearing and personal hygiene. Dr. Sivaprasad underscores the role of individual precautions and discourages unwarranted antibiotic use, advocating for clinical diagnosis over symptom-based treatment.
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