Just when Kolkata is managing bouts of dengue cases, the city is experiencing a déjà vu with what is referred to as seven-day fever. A form of viral infection with prolonged fever seen for over a week, spreading locally with severe body ache and fatigue.
“While a regular viral flu lasts for not more than 3 days, this infection (called seven-day fever) typically continues for nearly 7 days, increasing its resemblance to dengue,” explains Dr Tanmay Banerjee, director, Medica Institute of Critical Care & Coordinator, Kolkata.
Dr Dipankar Sarkar, specialist in Internal Medicine and Critical Care, Manipal Hospitals, however adds that there is nothing called seven-day-fever, which is like any other viral infection. “Most viral fevers are auto-remitting and get cured within 7 days through symptomatic treatment,” said Dr Sarkar
Shamoli Mitra (71), a homemaker from Kolkata, who is recovering from the infection recalls, “One night I felt my body was burning with high temperature. I wanted to turn on the AC or fan. But, I felt no energy to get out of the bed.” For Mitra, it started with intense headache, joint pain, and loss of appetite. “The fever was so high that I felt like I was burning within. From 99 degree Celsius on the first day, it rose to 104 degree Celsius in the coming days,” says Mitra adding that she hadn’t experienced this much fatigue till then.
“The name, ‘seven-day-fever’ could be a local nomenclature attributed due to the duration of the illness,” suspects Dr Banerjee. It is a typical monsoon infection, add doctors.
Seven-day Fever: Symptoms same as viral fever?
The symptoms for seven-day fever are the same as viral fever, but the duration and fatigue is enormous, say experts.
Dr Banerjee who analogizes seven-day fever to Kolkata fever explains, “Along with a high temperature, intense body aches, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, excessive fatigue, lethargy are the prominent symptoms in a seven-day fever.”
“In a few people, it could also cause low blood pressure, breathing difficulty, and dizziness,” adds Dr Banerjee.
Doctors also add that the seven day fever resembles ‘Kolkata fever’, a form of viral fever that persists for a long duration.
Is seven-day fever a serious concern?
“The fever, although not a serious concern, is a diagnostic dilemma and the exact pathology for this viral fever is unknown yet,” says Dr Banerjee.
Dr Jayanta Sharma, General Physician, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata adds, “Kolkata, during the monsoons, is a hotspot for various virus infections. This year, there is a surge in dengue, malaria, rotavirus, enterovirus, and some rare strains of influenza.”
Doctors add that those with underlying lung conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and those battling with Asthma must be careful during the viral flu season.
Dr Sharma advises seven-day fever is not dangerous, but one must be cautious because.
- It could be caused by a combination of one or more of the prevalent viruses.
- It is marked by an extremely high temperature (as high as 104 degree Celsius) for a longer duration.
- It can make one highly lethargic and dizzy
- It takes at least 2-3 weeks to recover.
Who is at risk?
“Those with weaker immune systems such as children below 10 years, elderly above 65 years, pregnant women and those with immunocompromised conditions (such as diabetes, kidney or liver diseases, lung infections must exercise caution,” warns Dr Sharma.
Why is Kolkata the hotspot?
Dr Sarkar adds that most viral infections are seasonal, with a larger prevalence in the rainy season.
Dr Banerjee says, “The seven-day fever, which is surging in Kolkata this year, strongly resembles Kolkata fever, which has affected Kolkata in the last few years.”
Treatment
If one has a high-grade fever for 72 hours, one must immediately see a doctor, advises Dr Sharma. Treatment must rule out the possibility of dengue, malaria and influenza, says Dr Sharma. Similarly in Mitra’s case, blood test ruled out her infections for dengue, typhoid, malaria, and influenza. Thus, the doctors diagnosed it as seven-day fever. Mitra, like many others, is recovering through the seven-day fever at home. But, when there is loss of appetite, nausea and dizziness, experts suggest immediate hospitalisation.
Treatment is most often symptomatic, explains Dr Sarkar. He adds, “If the body is dehydrated, rehydration with plenty of fluids helps in recovery.”
Preventive measures
Any viral infection is contagious. Hence, one must exercise caution by preventing social gatherings, wearing a mask, eating warm, home cooked meals, drinking hygienic water, maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding street food to prevent dengue, influenza, malaria or any other form of infections, advises Dr Sharma.
Takeaways
- Seven-day fever, a form of viral fever, is a typical monsoon infection.
- More than 7 days of high temperature, severe body and head ache and immense fatigue are the prominent symptoms.
- If one has a high-grade fever for 72 hours, one must immediately see a doctor.
- The fever, non-dangerous by itself, can be a concern if the treatment is not started immediately.
