HYDERABAD: Along with large numbers of dengue and flu cases, there has been an increase in scrub typhus cases too, city doctors say.
In many cases there is a combination of flu and dengue, typhoid and dengue or scrub typhus and dengue which makes things complicated, especially among immunocompromised people, children and elderly.
“Dengue is an urban disease and the main reason for its spread is stagnant water on the roads and at under-construction sites. The late breeding of mosquitoes is also a factor which makes it hard to control the vector,” said Ankura Hospital senior consultant paediatrician Dr KK Durga Prasad, adding that children are particularly vulnerable to severe manifestations of the disease.
Interestingly, even though dengue is predominantly seen in urban areas, scrub typhus is typically seen in rural areas but both of these are now co-existing in the city. This could be attributed to travel to rural areas and trekking, apart from the rain-related humid atmosphere, said doctors, as many cases turning up are coming after having travelled to rural areas.
Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected larval mites. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, rash, and general weakness.
“If left untreated, it can lead to more severe complications. While we are seeing a lot of cases of these along with dengue and typhoid, symptoms often overlap,” said consultant physician Dr Ashish Chauhan.
In many cases there is a combination of flu and dengue, typhoid and dengue or scrub typhus and dengue which makes things complicated, especially among immunocompromised people, children and elderly.
“Dengue is an urban disease and the main reason for its spread is stagnant water on the roads and at under-construction sites. The late breeding of mosquitoes is also a factor which makes it hard to control the vector,” said Ankura Hospital senior consultant paediatrician Dr KK Durga Prasad, adding that children are particularly vulnerable to severe manifestations of the disease.
Interestingly, even though dengue is predominantly seen in urban areas, scrub typhus is typically seen in rural areas but both of these are now co-existing in the city. This could be attributed to travel to rural areas and trekking, apart from the rain-related humid atmosphere, said doctors, as many cases turning up are coming after having travelled to rural areas.
Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected larval mites. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, rash, and general weakness.
“If left untreated, it can lead to more severe complications. While we are seeing a lot of cases of these along with dengue and typhoid, symptoms often overlap,” said consultant physician Dr Ashish Chauhan.
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