http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ection-still-rampant/articleshow/6897684.cms?
PUNE: With cases of chikungunya and dengue still rampant in the city, another chikungunya-like viral infection fever with joint pains also forcing citizens to make appointments with their physicians.
"Rapid variation in weather conditions and erratic temperature fluctuations have resulted in changes in disease patterns. In the new infection,' symptoms like fever and joint pain are similar to chikungunya. However, the patients have tested negative for dengue. This is an atypical viral fever which has been surfacing in the city for the last three months. Cases of chikungunya-like fever are being seen even now," said Avinash Bhondwe, former president of the city chapter of the Indian Medical Association.
Notably, laboratory data of the Golwilkar Metropolis Pvt Ltd, an accredited lab in the city, reveals that October saw highest number of dengue and chikungunya cases. The lab alone found 484 positive cases of dengue and 267 positive cases of chikungunya between June and October.
"Patients showing chikungunya-like symptoms are testing negative when specific antibody tests like IgG, IgM are conducted on them. This is unusual," said Bhondwe. Such cases have been seen since August, he added.
Fortunately, no special medical treatment is required for patients with atypical viral fever. "A close observation of total WBC count and platelet count is needed. Usually, a patient gets well within a week's time," said Bhondwe.
Usually, chikungunya patients complain of severe debilitating joint pain and fever. The pain is so bad that a patient finds it difficult to walk, said Bhondwe. "The fever takes three to seven days to subside, but the joint pains remain for a long time, sometimes for a few months. Unlike dengue and malaria, however, chikungunya is not life-threatening," Bhondwe added.
"Since viral fever and other infections are very common in India, most patients visit doctors only after they have been fibrile for three to four days. This is the time to collect blood samples for investigations before starting antibiotics. This is also the time when the IgM antibodies to an infectious agent start rising and they keep increasing over the next few days. This initial small level of antibody will be best detected by an ELISA-based test not only for chikungunya but for other infections," said consulting microbiologist Siddhartha Dalvi.
Sharing the view, paediatrician Sharad Agarkhedkar, president of the city chapter of IMA, said, "The Indian market is flooded with rapid tests. Most of them are of inferior quality and do not have the required level of sensitivity. Unfortunately, as these rapid testing kits are easily available and also very easy to perform even at the smallest place run by under-qualified people. This gives rise to false negative reports and a large number of positive cases remain undetected."
DOs
Take rest
Even if you don't feel like eating, take small quantities of fresh and simple food like dal-rice, roti, non-spicy vegetable dishes, etc
Eat fresh fruits in small helpings
If you have sore throat, gargling may help
Hot fomentation with hot water bag is advisable for body pain and backache
Check your blood only after doctor's advice; he may ask to repeat the blood counts at frequent intervals. It is a must
DON'Ts
In case of fever, do not waste time hoping the fever will subside on its own. Contact your general physician
Do not indulge in self-medication, especially going for aspirin containing tablets
Do not panic to get admitted, take your physician's opinion
Avoid spicy food, cold beverages, junk food
Do not attend school/ college/ office for first three days at least
(Source: Indian Medical Association, Pune branch)
BOX:
Dengue cases:
Months Positive Number of samples tested
June 35 135
July 74 330
August 125 620
September 92 485
October 158 480
Total 484 2,050
Read more: Chikungunya-like viral infection still rampant - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...rampant/articleshow/6897684.cms#ixzz14w4ZvACJ
PUNE: With cases of chikungunya and dengue still rampant in the city, another chikungunya-like viral infection fever with joint pains also forcing citizens to make appointments with their physicians.
"Rapid variation in weather conditions and erratic temperature fluctuations have resulted in changes in disease patterns. In the new infection,' symptoms like fever and joint pain are similar to chikungunya. However, the patients have tested negative for dengue. This is an atypical viral fever which has been surfacing in the city for the last three months. Cases of chikungunya-like fever are being seen even now," said Avinash Bhondwe, former president of the city chapter of the Indian Medical Association.
Notably, laboratory data of the Golwilkar Metropolis Pvt Ltd, an accredited lab in the city, reveals that October saw highest number of dengue and chikungunya cases. The lab alone found 484 positive cases of dengue and 267 positive cases of chikungunya between June and October.
"Patients showing chikungunya-like symptoms are testing negative when specific antibody tests like IgG, IgM are conducted on them. This is unusual," said Bhondwe. Such cases have been seen since August, he added.
Fortunately, no special medical treatment is required for patients with atypical viral fever. "A close observation of total WBC count and platelet count is needed. Usually, a patient gets well within a week's time," said Bhondwe.
Usually, chikungunya patients complain of severe debilitating joint pain and fever. The pain is so bad that a patient finds it difficult to walk, said Bhondwe. "The fever takes three to seven days to subside, but the joint pains remain for a long time, sometimes for a few months. Unlike dengue and malaria, however, chikungunya is not life-threatening," Bhondwe added.
"Since viral fever and other infections are very common in India, most patients visit doctors only after they have been fibrile for three to four days. This is the time to collect blood samples for investigations before starting antibiotics. This is also the time when the IgM antibodies to an infectious agent start rising and they keep increasing over the next few days. This initial small level of antibody will be best detected by an ELISA-based test not only for chikungunya but for other infections," said consulting microbiologist Siddhartha Dalvi.
Sharing the view, paediatrician Sharad Agarkhedkar, president of the city chapter of IMA, said, "The Indian market is flooded with rapid tests. Most of them are of inferior quality and do not have the required level of sensitivity. Unfortunately, as these rapid testing kits are easily available and also very easy to perform even at the smallest place run by under-qualified people. This gives rise to false negative reports and a large number of positive cases remain undetected."
DOs
Take rest
Even if you don't feel like eating, take small quantities of fresh and simple food like dal-rice, roti, non-spicy vegetable dishes, etc
Eat fresh fruits in small helpings
If you have sore throat, gargling may help
Hot fomentation with hot water bag is advisable for body pain and backache
Check your blood only after doctor's advice; he may ask to repeat the blood counts at frequent intervals. It is a must
DON'Ts
In case of fever, do not waste time hoping the fever will subside on its own. Contact your general physician
Do not indulge in self-medication, especially going for aspirin containing tablets
Do not panic to get admitted, take your physician's opinion
Avoid spicy food, cold beverages, junk food
Do not attend school/ college/ office for first three days at least
(Source: Indian Medical Association, Pune branch)
BOX:
Dengue cases:
Months Positive Number of samples tested
June 35 135
July 74 330
August 125 620
September 92 485
October 158 480
Total 484 2,050
Read more: Chikungunya-like viral infection still rampant - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...rampant/articleshow/6897684.cms#ixzz14w4ZvACJ
