Date:31/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073160980500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Viral fevers grip Addagutta, Shantinagar

Abhijit Dev Kumar

Rise in cases of respiratory tract infections, cough, cold and fever

Unhygienic conditions cause such diseases
Sinusitis and asthma cases too reported

Hyderabad: Improper sanitation and unhygienic conditions, coupled with rain are a perfect amalgamation for diseases to spread in Addagutta and Shantinagar slum areas in Secunderabad.

Rush at clinics

People queuing up at private clinics is a common sight in these areas, as there appears to be a rise in cases of respiratory tract infections, cough and cold and a few cases of fever have been reported in these areas. “Unhygienic conditions are always the root cause for such diseases, especially during monsoon. All children in their crawling stages are down with fever. Moreover with the change in weather, it is the asthma patients who increasingly feel uneasy,” says Dr. Girija Krishnan.

There is a sudden spurt in cases of cold and sinusitis among those living in Addagutta and Shantinagar areas. “Sometimes there is little fever and too much cold,” says Ramulamma, a labourer.

Costly affair

For Mary, a housemaid living at Trimulgherry village, her 10-year-old son was down with fever for days. “I spent a huge amount on his treatment. One trip to the doctor cost me Rs. 100,” she said. Many other people living in the area, also developed conjunctivitis .

Similar cases of common cough and cold, mild fevers were reported in pockets of Old Alwal such as Kummari Basthi, Harijan Basthi and further up at Kantha Basthi in Trimulgherry, Bansilalpet, Parsigutta to name a few.

“There have been three cases of high viral fever and two cases of conjunctivitis. Otherwise most of the cases pertain to common cold,” informs Dr. Muralidhar Gupta from the Government Civil Hospital at Old Alwal.