Patna, July 11: The city is in the grip of viral fever. It is sparing none. Not even the chief minister.

Nitish Kumar’s followers were concerned about his health after he cancelled two back-to-back weekly janata darbars. They were relieved to see him flag off the Signature Rath yesterday. But he was visibly weak.

While Nitish is on the recovery path, several others are down with viral fever in the city. According to physicians, there has been about 80 per cent increase in cases of viral fever in the state capital in the past two weeks because of humid conditions in the rainy season.

The doctors are of the view that this kind of weather — temperature in the range of 25°C to 35°C and more than 80 per cent humidity — is the perfect ground for the growth of the virus causing fever. Dr Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, the head of the department of medicine at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), said about 30 patients suffering from viral fever were coming to the medicine OPD (outpatient departm- ent) every day for the past two weeks.

Like PMCH, other city hospitals have also recorded a steep rise in the number of viral fever, pneumonia, and asthma patients in the past fortnight. Fever, running nose, throat pain, eye discharge, vomiting and upset stom- ach are common problems of the patients.

Dr Ajay Kumar, a private practitioner at Kankerbagh Colony, said: “People with relatively poor immunity fall prey to viral infections easily. These infections can lead to viral bronchitis and throat and gastro infections apart from high fever and cold. Those suffering from asthma also develop several complications in monsoon.”

Kumar said he was advising his patients to avoid food from outside. The doctor is prescribing them hot meal, boiled water and regular intake of Vitamin C to boost the immunity-level to avoid viral infections.

Echoing Dr Kumar, Dr Prasad said: “Even those not suffering from viral infection should have Vitamin C tablets of 500mg for four-five days.”

Explaining how immunity gets reduced during the changing climatic condition, Dr Prasad said: “Our lungs are naturally designed to prevent any virus from entering them through the respiratory tracts. Cilium — the thin thread like parts — takes up this responsibility. If there is a sudden change in the weather, cilia do not remain as efficient. Taking advantage of it, viruses enter the body easily and cause different kinds of fevers and other health problems.”

The doctors said there was nothing to be alarmed as the viral fever subsides within three to seven days. But one needs to take care of the post-viral fever weakness, which is accompanied by muscle pain. It can last for a week.

“Some patients also complain about lingering cough. But in most cases simple cough syrups can give relief,” Dr Kumar said.