'Mystery' Fever Grips Mumbai: Patients Report 'Unusual' Fever With Perplexing Symptoms and Full-Body Rash, but Test Negative for Dengue and Other Infections
What's strange is that, despite various symptoms, individuals test negative for common pathogens such as dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and other prevalent diseases. This strange fever has reportedly been present for about two months.
Mumbai, October 23: An 'unusual' fever with confusing symptoms appears to be afflicting numerous people in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This fever usually lasts 4-5 days, with temperatures ranging between 99 and 102 degrees. What distinguishes it is the appearance of a full-body rash on the fourth or fifth day, followed by feelings of heaviness in the eyes, persistent headaches, and insomnia.
What's perplexing is that, despite these symptoms, individuals test negative for common pathogens such as dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and other prevalent diseases. This strange fever has reportedly been present for about two months. ‘Bendy Priest’ From Madhya Pradesh Suffers From a Rare Disease That Makes His Bones Bend and Body Shrink! (Watch Video).
In addition to these different symptoms, medical records reveal some intriguing tendencies. While white blood cell (WBC) counts have decreased somewhat, platelet levels remain within acceptable limits. The number of red blood cells (RBCs) increases. Furthermore, the presence of inflammatory markers is indicated by higher levels of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein), according to the experts.
Here's What Doctors and Experts Say
Viral fever and influenza can behave differently from time to time, and sometimes the answer lies in testing such patients for a broader range of conditions, physician Dr Pratit Samdani told TOI, adding that he has recently encountered at least three cases where the fever presented differently. When initial screens for common illnesses come back negative, doctors have also been advising to repeat PCR testing (molecular tests). Rare Tick-Borne Virus Spreading in England, UK Health Security Agency Recommends Changes to Testing in Hospitals.
Meanwhile, infectious disease experts discovered that Dengue 2 and Dengue 4 serotypes, which have been more widespread this year, tend to have poor consequences at first. Chikungunya tests have also yielded negative results during the first seven days. Doctors, on the other hand, feel that viral illnesses have been presenting in a variety of ways since the emergence of Covid-19.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2023 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).