BHOPAL: There has been a near one-third increase in people suffering from seasonal flu and associated discomfort. With similarities between flu and Covid-19 infection, medical experts are advising those with morediscomfort to opt for early testing.
“Difference between Covid-19 and seasonal influenza cannot be made based on symptoms alone. Testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis. Early testing is key to faster recovery,” said pulmonologist and Hamidia hospital medical superintendent, Dr Lokendra Dave. In the pastmonth, the largest tertiary care hospital has only had six cases of Covid-19 and four of them have recovered, he added. On the other hand, cases of seasonal influenza are increasing-.From about 100 per day to 140 per day or more, said Dr Dave.
Similarities for both Covid-19 and flu includes one or more days can pass between when a person becomes infected and when he or she starts to experience illness symptoms. The one such difference between the illnesses is that if a person has Covid-19, it could take them longer to experience symptoms than if they had seasonal flu.
Typically, a person experiences symptoms about five days after being infected, but symptoms can appear two to 14 days after infection Covid-19.
Another front being screened for is advent of vector-borne ailments. Since the beginning of the year, 83 cases of dengue have been diagnosed in Bhopal, according to district malaria officer (DMO) Dr Akhilesh Dubey. Dengue larva is being detected in roughly one in ten houses surveyed, according to this week’s survey report.
Various areas of the city are identified as vulnerable for spread of vector. It includes slums and other settlements. In the state capital, dengue larva survey and malaria tests along with rapid tests including bloodslide collection and prevention activities are being conducted, he added. Survey information is being collected on a a large scale. Dr Dubey said that teams have been appointed in various areas for theprevention of malaria and vector borne ailments.
