KATHMANDU, Sept 10: The number of patients with viral fever and dengue in the Kathmandu Valley has increased rapidly.

According to sources, the number of patients has increased of late in Sukraraj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku; Bir Hospital; Civil Hospital, Baneshwar; TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, and others in the valley.

According to the Teku Hospital, 50 patients have arrived in the emergency room of the hospital in the last 24 hours. Most of them are suffering from dengue and viral fever, said Yuva Nidhi Basaula, director of the hospital.

Recently, 20 percent of the patients who come to the Outpatient Department (OPD) at the capital's Bir Hospital are suffering from different types of fever. According to the hospital, 40 percent of fever patients are being treated in the medicine ward of the hospital. The medicine ward has a capacity of 100 beds.

Dr Dhruva Gaire, head of the medicine department, said that 50 percent of the fever patients who were treated had dengue, while the other 50 percent had viral and unknown fevers. He noted that the patients being treated are from the valley and surrounding districts, with some referred from local hospitals where treatment was not possible. According to Dr Gaire, many patients do not recover even after a week. "It has been seen that some of the admitted patients have developed pneumonia due to cold and fever," Gair said.

On the other hand, 15 to 20 fever patients are coming to the OPD at Civil Hospital Baneshwor every day. Of these, an average of four patients are admitted to the ward and receive treatment daily. Dr Bidesh Bista, a respiratory and thoracic specialist at the hospital, said, "Since there is no place to treat here, we have referred patients to other government hospitals."

Dr Bista said that some patients come to the hospital when their condition does not improve after taking home remedy for five to seven days. He noted that viral and dengue fevers are more common among such patients and that the risk of pneumonia is higher in those with viral fever.

Dr Awashesh Pun, chief specialist physician at Teku Hospital's OPD, said that among the patients recently coming to the OPD, many are suffering from dengue, seasonal fever, common cold, and scrub typhus. He attributed these issues to the monsoon, which has led to increased cases of cold and respiratory tract infections.

Doctors note that patients are showing symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache, difficulty in breathing, and sore throat. 

According to Dr Pun, the prevalence of dengue and other fevers has significantly increased since August. Among those who do not recover easily from fever, there is a higher incidence of individuals with weakened immune systems and chronic diseases.

With the increased risk of seasonal flu and dengue, doctors recommend precautions such as using masks while venturing outside, avoiding exposure to rain, moderating the consumption of hot and cold foods, preventing mosquito bites, and avoiding walking barefoot in bushes.

For common fevers, doctors suggest resting and drinking hot water. However, if symptoms persist beyond three days, they advise visiting a hospital for treatment.

 
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