Patna, May 26: Surprise showers are welcome in summer. But there is an element of fear in them — catching viral fever.

The rapid fluctuation in temperature over the past seven days following frequent rain has triggered a spurt in the number of viral fever patients.

Doctors and experts attributed the trend to decreased body immunity during sudden fluctuations in the weather conditions.

Dr Suneel Kumar Agarwal, a physician at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), said at least eight to 10 patients, taken ill because of weather change, were coming to him every day.

“There was frequent unseasonal rain in the city in the past one month. These showers spread virus. Those who have relatively poor body immunity system fall ill easily during times like these. Common cold, high fever, sore throat are primary symptoms of weather-related ailments,” he said.

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

Cough, cold, body ache and red eyes are the common symptoms of viral fever. But each virus causes a particular kind of ailment. Viral hepatitis leads to liver inflammation. It can cause jaundice as well. The cause of green jaundice is too much increase in biliverdinemia pigment in body.

“Nearly 60 per cent of the diseases caused by virus are, however, prevented by our immune system. They cause more diseases in people having less immune power,” the doctor said.

A city-based paediatrician said children are mostly prone to viral infections during weather-change.

“A member of a family suffering from common cold exhales viral droplets in air, which are easily inhaled by infants. The affected children will sneeze. They will suffer from running nose. At times, their nose may get blocked. There may be fever. It is very important not to allow anyone suffering from cold to come in physical contact with children,” the doctor said.

He said Paracetamol syrup is mostly used to bring down the fever of children. But a paediatrician should be consulted before administering it to anyone.

“If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, its complete course should be taken. Stopping the course midway may cause chronic problems,” he added.