Unseasonal rains in April and overcast conditions in May have created an unusual public health scenario in Hyderabad, where instead of sunstrokes and water-borne diseases, the general public must deal with the threat of ailments that are normally dormant during peak summer.

Cloudy overcast conditions and low daytime temperatures have created ideal conditions in Hyderabad for upper respiratory tract infections, particularly viral fevers, influenza, the common cold, and cases of Covid infections.

Aside from Basthi Dawakhanas, private clinics and nursing homes in the city have continued to see a high volume of patients, particularly children with typical viral fever symptoms, this late in the year.

According to doctors in Hyderabad, the majority of patients have coughs, fevers, body aches, sore throats, and runny noses. All of the symptoms are associated with viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Almost all of the fever cases are caused by H3N1 (novel swine influenza), H1N1 (influenza A), or Covid-19.

“Every year in the months of April and May, we usually witness a lot of sunstroke cases. But this year has been different because of the prevailing weather conditions. At this moment, most of seasonal ailments are related to Upper Respiratory Tract infections like influenza, Covid and sporadic instances of Asthma,” said seasonal diseases expert and Superintendent of Nallakunta Fever Hospital, Dr K Shankar.

On the positive end of the spectrum, there are clear indications that almost all patients with these symptoms are recovering quickly with symptomatic treatment. While high-grade fever is getting under control in two days, it is taking at least four to five more days for the cough to subside.

In case Individuals are suffering from fever, cough, and other symptoms should stay at home for a day or two until they recover, doctors have advised.