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Source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bang...as-city-docs-puzzled/articleshow/24711912.cms
Mystery virus has city docs puzzled
By Vandana Kamath, Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Oct 26, 2013, 01.00 AM IST
Mystery virus has city docs puzzled
Recently a young man in his thirties was brought to a private hospital with a fever of 104 degrees. He had lung congestion, rashes, severe headache and was unable to eat. The doctor suspected dengue. The platelet count was low, but the result was negative. The typhoid test was also negative. Still, after hospitalisation for five days, his unnamed condition was brought under control, essentially through a hit-or-miss method.
Such cases have been around now for three months and are increasing by the day. Physicians suspect that the cause is a new strain of virus. Coupled with persistent joint pain, high fever and low platelet count, patients take weeks to recover.
Dr Pankaj Singhai, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, who sees at least ten such cases every week, told Bangalore Mirror, "The common traits of this virus include high grade fever, joint and muscle pain and a mild decrease in platelet count. The source of this virus is yet to be ascertained. This virus also affects the bone marrow...''
..."This virus is largely associated with orthopaedic problems as sometimes the joint pain lasts for over a month even though the fever may subside. We often mistake it for dengue or chikungunya but tests give negative results.''
Mystery virus has city docs puzzled
By Vandana Kamath, Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Oct 26, 2013, 01.00 AM IST
Mystery virus has city docs puzzled
Recently a young man in his thirties was brought to a private hospital with a fever of 104 degrees. He had lung congestion, rashes, severe headache and was unable to eat. The doctor suspected dengue. The platelet count was low, but the result was negative. The typhoid test was also negative. Still, after hospitalisation for five days, his unnamed condition was brought under control, essentially through a hit-or-miss method.
Such cases have been around now for three months and are increasing by the day. Physicians suspect that the cause is a new strain of virus. Coupled with persistent joint pain, high fever and low platelet count, patients take weeks to recover.
Dr Pankaj Singhai, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, who sees at least ten such cases every week, told Bangalore Mirror, "The common traits of this virus include high grade fever, joint and muscle pain and a mild decrease in platelet count. The source of this virus is yet to be ascertained. This virus also affects the bone marrow...''
..."This virus is largely associated with orthopaedic problems as sometimes the joint pain lasts for over a month even though the fever may subside. We often mistake it for dengue or chikungunya but tests give negative results.''