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Chickenpox cases on the rise
Express News Service
First Published : 15 Mar 2010 09:52:26 AM IST
Last Updated : 15 Mar 2010 10:12:57 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Rising temperature in the twin cities has brought an unwelcome guest, the chickenpox.
Hospitals are reporting increasing number of cases, mainly from slums.
According to Dr Manjula, superintendent of Fever Hospital, an average of 5-6 chickenpox cases are being registered in the hospital every day.
The disease, in fact, started spreading from February itself.
While it largely used to be confined to children in the past, a distorted pattern of the virus that has emerged newly is not sparing even adults. Lack of knowledge among common people on preventing water contamination is helping the virus to spread rapidly, Dr Manjula told Expresso.
Chickenpox infection occurs once in a lifetime and the only prevention against it is vaccination. ?Fever, headache, joint and muscle pain and weakness are the early symptoms of the viral infection that later lead to rashes and blisters all over the body.
In due course, they dry up forming crusts or scabs that fall off later,?? the doctor explained. Over a 100 cases have already been reported in the twin cities since February this year as against the total infections of 250 in 2008 and 506 in 2009.
The hospital has a special isolated ward to treat chickenpox patients, she informed.
Niloufer hospital has also been receiving a number of chickenpox cases. ?Increasing incidence of chickenpox is not a serious concern.
Sporadic spurt in jaundice, typhoid, diphtheria and chickenpox cannot be ruled out during summer, mostly because of water contamination.
Chickenpox cases reported here are being referred to the Fever Hospital as it has an isolated ward,?? said Usha Rani, RMO of Niloufer.
People are reluctant to consult a skin specialist or a physician for the illness as they consider it a curse of a goddess and not a medical problem.
The disease takes two to three week?s time to cure.
?The incubation period of the virus is 10 to 21 days. One needs to avoid oily and non-vegetarian diet and follow doctor?s instructions rather than avoiding treatment or considering it to be a curse. The hospital provides facilities like isolation ward, regular check-ups, medicines and vaccines,? Manjula said.
Meanwhile, Dr Ch Jayakumari, Hyderabad District Medical and Health Officer, said special medical camps were being held at several parts in the city. As many as 2,436 people had already screened.
Chickenpox cases on the rise
Express News Service
First Published : 15 Mar 2010 09:52:26 AM IST
Last Updated : 15 Mar 2010 10:12:57 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Rising temperature in the twin cities has brought an unwelcome guest, the chickenpox.
Hospitals are reporting increasing number of cases, mainly from slums.
According to Dr Manjula, superintendent of Fever Hospital, an average of 5-6 chickenpox cases are being registered in the hospital every day.
The disease, in fact, started spreading from February itself.
While it largely used to be confined to children in the past, a distorted pattern of the virus that has emerged newly is not sparing even adults. Lack of knowledge among common people on preventing water contamination is helping the virus to spread rapidly, Dr Manjula told Expresso.
Chickenpox infection occurs once in a lifetime and the only prevention against it is vaccination. ?Fever, headache, joint and muscle pain and weakness are the early symptoms of the viral infection that later lead to rashes and blisters all over the body.
In due course, they dry up forming crusts or scabs that fall off later,?? the doctor explained. Over a 100 cases have already been reported in the twin cities since February this year as against the total infections of 250 in 2008 and 506 in 2009.
The hospital has a special isolated ward to treat chickenpox patients, she informed.
Niloufer hospital has also been receiving a number of chickenpox cases. ?Increasing incidence of chickenpox is not a serious concern.
Sporadic spurt in jaundice, typhoid, diphtheria and chickenpox cannot be ruled out during summer, mostly because of water contamination.
Chickenpox cases reported here are being referred to the Fever Hospital as it has an isolated ward,?? said Usha Rani, RMO of Niloufer.
People are reluctant to consult a skin specialist or a physician for the illness as they consider it a curse of a goddess and not a medical problem.
The disease takes two to three week?s time to cure.
?The incubation period of the virus is 10 to 21 days. One needs to avoid oily and non-vegetarian diet and follow doctor?s instructions rather than avoiding treatment or considering it to be a curse. The hospital provides facilities like isolation ward, regular check-ups, medicines and vaccines,? Manjula said.
Meanwhile, Dr Ch Jayakumari, Hyderabad District Medical and Health Officer, said special medical camps were being held at several parts in the city. As many as 2,436 people had already screened.