A number of doctors in Chennai are reporting a continued rise in fever cases, with dengue remaining prevalent and influenza along with a few other respiratory viruses also in circulation. With the Northeast monsoon bringing the first spell of heavy rain to the city some days ago, there is a need to take precautions to prevent infectious diseases in the coming weeks.
Suresh Kumar, senior consultant, Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospitals, said, “We have been seeing an overlap of dengue and influenza in 15% to 25% of patients. Both outbreaks are happening right now. As a result, the fever drags a bit longer to about 10 to 12 days. In dengue, we are noticing atypical manifestations in some patients. This includes hepatitis or elevated liver enzymes, brain involvement causing confusion and altered mental status but the recovery has been good.”
A government physician said there has been a spike in cases of fever with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) over the past month. However, mortality has been low and recovery has been good, he said. “These could be mixed tropical infections, and we treat patients accordingly. Specific testing is not routinely done in the government sector, and so the infections could be dengue or chikungunya or leptospirosis,” he said.
Sowmya Sridharan, consultant - Infectious Disease, Kauvery Hospital, said that there was a slight reduction in the number of flu cases since the second week of October. “It is prevalent but less when compared to last month. There are sporadic cases of other respiratory infections too,” she said.
“However, we are still seeing a considerable number of dengue cases. Some patients have had severe symptoms requiring hospitalisation. Some of them come late on day four or five of fever with symptoms of dehydration and organ dysfunction. This makes management difficult. If patients come early, then most of them are treated as outpatients. However, recovery rates have been good. It is ideal for persons having high grade fever to see the doctor on the third day of fever if it does not subside,” she explained.
Another government doctor in Chennai said that if a child is active, taking food, and has no vomiting or headache, parents can give paracetamol based on a doctor’s prescription and manage them at home. However, combination drugs should not be given. “If they feel they cannot manage and if the child has warning signs such as lethargy, reduced movement, vomiting, abdomen pain, and reduced urine output, they should seek medical help with the nearest hospital or paediatrician. Parental anxiety should be addressed by doctors,” he said.
As precautionary measures, people must be careful while eating outside as water contamination may occur during the rain, Dr. Sowmya Sridharan said, adding: “Gastroenteritis, typhoid or typhoid-like bacterial infections are common during rain. To prevent dengue, waterlogging in and around houses should be avoided to prevent mosquito breeding. Mosquito nets and repellents could be utilised.”
Getting vaccinated against flu is important but there is a small shortage of vaccines, Dr. Suresh Kumar said. “While trivalent vaccine is the recommended one, it is in short supply and quadrivalent vaccines are available. This issue needs to be addressed,” he added.
Published - October 21, 2026 12:40 am IST