As winter prepares to bid farewell to the country, many individuals, particularly children and the elderly, are grappling with seasonal flu in Rajshahi.
According to medical experts, the temperature fluctuations between day and night have intensified during the winter break, often accompanied by sudden rainfall.
Due to this, cases of cold, cough, and fever have surged not only within the Rajshahi metropolitan area but also at the upazila level. Multiple family members are being affected by these ailments.
Consequently, there has been a notable uptick in cases of viral fever, which spreads through sneezing and coughing. Typically, individuals are experiencing fever, cold, and cough for a duration ranging from three to seven days.
Data from Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) indicates a substantial rise in patient admissions over the past fortnight.
Recent figures show 485 patients are admitted in the pediatric ward and 660 in the medicine ward as of Monday, totaling 2,693 patients. The total figure was around 2,200 around two weeks ago.
Sahabuddin Ahmed, proprietor of Dream Pharmacy in Rajshahi city, said there has been an increased demand for medications for flues recently.
Additionally, sales of essential medicines like painkillers and cold remedies have surged significantly.
Health officials attribute this surge in hospitalizations to various physical complications stemming from climate change, which have intensified over the past week.
Montu Islam, a 75-year-old resident of Sonakandi area in Paba Upazila, succumbed to complications exacerbated by cold weather after a week of treatment at the hospital. His family members said he was admitted with only cold-related complications.
Champa Begum, another resident of Paba, said her granddaughter has been suffering from cold for a long time, which have afflicted other household members as well.
The fluctuating weather patterns are impacting the health of people, she said.
Dr Khalilur Rahman, former head of Department of Medicine at RMCH and professor of medicine at Islami Bank Medical College, emphasized that flu incidence escalates with changing weather conditions, a trend observed in Rajshahi.
He urged everyone, especially children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues, to exercise caution and consume warm, nutritious foods to bolster immunity. Seeking prompt medical attention is crucial if complications arise.
Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Saeed Mohammad Farooq acknowledged the rising prevalence of cold-related illnesses, particularly among children.
He urged general people to see a doctor if anyone suffers from fever for more than three days.
“As we are seeing a new variant of Covid emerging, as well as the lingering risk of dengue, we should be careful,” he added.