Heat fever returns to haunt Kolkata as mercury climbs back to 38 degree Celsius - Times of India
KOLKATA: With the mercury climbing back to 38°C on Saturday after a brief respite, heat fever has returned to haunt Kolkata. Hundreds have been suffering from a sudden high temperature, accompanied by nausea and headache while some have even experienced bouts of unconsciousness.
The stifling conditions could last several more days despite occasional thunderstorms, the Met office has predicted, even as doctors have warned against venturing out in the sun for long periods.
Many have started complaining of body ache, lack of energy, nausea and fever over the last one week, said RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) intensivist Sauren Panja. "Exposure to the sun has again started taking a toll. Many have fallen ill even after a brief exposure. If the mercury continues to hover above 37°C, we may again see a spate of heat strokes like we had seen in end-April," said Panja.
The elderly, along with those who spend long hours on the road, have been affected more than the rest, added Panja. "Many had taken it easy after the recent drop in temperature. They have been caught off-guard and for many, the symptoms have been very mild to begin with. But some of them later had high fever," he said.
Heat fever strikes when the body's thermostat mechanism fails due to a sudden exposure to heat. When the ambient temperature rises, the internal heat can't escape. "This leads to a rise in body temperature and could be followed by gasping, dehydration and even a renal shutdown. During heat fever, blood pressure tends to fall and the pulse rate rises. While children tend to suffer epileptic fits, the elderly could have a sudden cardiac arrhythmia resulting in death," said an intensivist.
Heat exhaustion and heat cramps have been common over the last few days, said internal medicine consultant Arindam Biswas. "These are the precursors to heat fever. Exposure to the sun initially leads to exhaustion and cramps, particularly in the abdomen. These should not be ignored and the heat should be avoided. Those who don't sweat adequately are prone to heat strokes for sweating helps to keep the body temperature in control," added Biswas.
Scores of children aged between five and 12 years have succumbed to heat fever over the last one week, said paediatrician Santanu Ray. "Children are more vulnerable due to their low immunity. Prolonged exposure to heat has been leading to heat exhaustion or heat fever. Other than a sudden rise in body temperature, it has been leading to severe body ache and breathing distress. In some cases, high fever has triggered epileptic fits and required hospitalization," said Ray.
The city may receive a thunderstorm by Sunday but it is unlikely to pull the mercury down significantly, said the Met office. "Scorching winds are blowing in from the northwest and moisture incursion is insufficient. It will remain warm and uncomfortable over the next few days," said Regional Meteorological Centre director GK Das.
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