2 hrs ago

Chennai Hospitals Face Surge in Flu, Respiratory Infections, Dengue

Hospitals in Chennai are seeing many more people with flu, breathing infections and dengue.

This has made outpatient departments and hospital wards very crowded.

Some patients are waiting up to 12 hours for a bed.

Most people get better with medicine, rest and enough fluids.

Older people and people with other health problems can become more seriously ill.

Children may have long-lasting fever and extreme tiredness.

Doctors say people with breathing trouble, high fever or dehydration should seek help early.

They also advise handwashing, masks for people with respiratory symptoms and removing stagnant water to reduce infections.

Key facts

Reported illnesses: Respiratory infections, influenza including H1N1, and dengue
Hospital delays: Some emergency patients are waiting up to 12 hours for beds
Common symptoms: High fever, sore throat, cold, persistent cough, body and leg pain, chest discomfort, fatigue and loss of appetite
Vulnerable groups: Elderly people and those with co-morbidities face greater risk of serious illness
Children’s symptoms: Some children and adolescents have prolonged fever, extreme exhaustion, confusion or delirium
Respiratory viruses: Respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and parainfluenza are contributing to the caseload
Prevention advice: Maintain hand hygiene, avoid close contact with infected people, use masks when symptomatic and control mosquitoes

thehansindia.com · 2 hrs ago