Kochi: With the onset of monsoon, the fear of various fevers has gripped the state. As the symptoms of viral fevers and COVID-19 are similar, it makes the situation worse. The number of people who visit hospital with fever and those who request for COVID-19 tests also is increasing.
The primary symptoms of COVID-19 is sore throat and fever. The doctors made it clear that they decide on the quarantine and other procedures after considering the symptoms in the list issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A total of 589 cases of dengue fever and 91 cases of leptospirosis were reported in the state within last one month.
Symptoms
Dengue fever has symptoms other than fever, said Dr B Padmakumar, Professor of General Medicine at Alappuzha Medical College. Severe muscle pain is a major symptom which is why the patient could not even lie down. Due to this, the disease is also called break bone fever. Dengue fever does not have symptoms of normal fever and common cold. In case of leptospirosis, the patient will have yellow eyes, bleeding and severe muscle pain.
Dr Padmakumar stated that all who have fever symptoms need not conduct COVID-19 tests. They should undergo COVID test in private labs only under the direction of the doctors. Presently, there is no situation in the state to suspect patients without any epidemiological link. The health experts said that the cases of fever are likely to increase in the next three months and people should avoid taking self-treatment.
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