Mangaluru: With hospitals and clinics witnessing an increase in the number of fever and cough instances, the health dept in Dakshina Kannada district has intensified its surveillance. Though the cases are not life-threatening, officials cautioned people to consult doctors if fever and other symptoms do not subside within two days.District surveillance officer Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal told TOI that most cases of viral fever and flu reported in the district were mild and curable within 2-3 days. However, he said people should consult doctors to check whether the symptoms are related to H1N1 or any other disease.The number of cases was comparatively not large, and viral fever is not considered a threat. In flu and viral fever, people may show symptoms of high fever, muscle or body aches, fatigue, gastroenteritis, and the possibility of diarrhoea, he said.“It is common for people to develop fever during this season. If the temperature rises to 105 degrees, or if patients experience shivering, body pain, or persistent diarrhoea, they should seek medical advice to determine whether the cause is leptospirosis, malaria, dengue, or any other disease. Since the symptoms of many illnesses are similar, people should not neglect their health if regular remedies do not alleviate the symptoms,” said Dr Kulal.The health dept conducted routine surveillance, wherein health staff visited houses and collected information about the health of people in the district. “We conduct routine surveys for fever and other diseases to ensure that there are no fatalities,” he added.DHO Dr Thimmaiah HR said that regular meetings are being held with taluk health officers, and they have been instructed to take precautions against fever, especially to prevent the spread of dengue and other diseases.
