Times of India
12 March 2011
By Jayashree Nandi
Bangalore, India

The summer season can make you sick. Hot and dry weather has set in, and so have viruses and bacteria. Hospitals are seeing a spurt in cases of diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, chicken pox and viral infections. With summer holidays in schools fast approaching, this trend is only going to intensify, say doctors. With many patients getting admitted with complaints of dehydration and severe diarrhoea, hospital wards are running full.

"There’s 20% to 30% rise in the number of patients with complaints of loose motion and fever. The weather change has led to growth in viruses. The rotavirus, which is the most common cause of diarrhoea, has increased. The spurt started since 10 days and it’s likely to be in the air till May–end," said Dr Bhaskar Shenoy, head of department and consultant, paediatrics, Manipal Hospital.

Water and food–borne infections are likely to be high too, and doctors suggest that everyone drink boiled water. At Sagar Hospitals, cases of chicken pox have gone up. Though it’s not restricted to any particular season, the infection is highly contagious and children can contract it in schools.

According to Dr H Paramesh of Lakeside Hospital, "Around this time, diseases like gastroenteritis are high because of more insects, especially flies. There will be more cough and cold cases too. The best thing is to drink a lot of fluids. For dysentery, curds and green banana are good home remedies." MS Ramaiah Hospitals medical superintendent Dr Naresh Shetty confirmed an increase in complaints of loose motion, vomiting and respiratory infections.

"This trend will only increase. So, we suggest people consume quality of food and water," he said. "We have already started seeing a lot of diarrhoea cases, thanks to water contamination. The symptoms are loose motion and vomiting in viral diarrhoea. A lot of people are getting admitted with complaints of mild to moderate diarrhoea," said Rajeeva Moger, consultant, internal medicine, Apollo hospitals.

Be on the Safer Side

• Boil water
• Eat hot and fresh food
• Avoid drinking water from open places like street vendors
• Avoid eating cut fruits from vendors
• Wash hands regularly
• Consume a lot of fluids