Docs face diagnosis challenge as viral attacks overlap with season change allergies in Kolkata kids
Times of India | 23 June 2025
Kolkata: With the onset of the monsoon triggering a sudden dip in temperature, a range of viruses was unleashed, causing cough, cold, and fever. However, viral attacks are being overlapped by allergies, especially in children, triggering similar symptoms that have left both patients and doctors confused.While many have symptoms of a cold along with fever, some have the same symptoms without fever. The latter is an indication of an allergy attack rather than a viral one, say doctors. "Allergies trigger a similar bout of cough and cold but are usually not accompanied by fever. Viruses like rhinovirus, influenza, and Covid, which are now in circulation, also cause fever, though it could be low. Around 10% to 15% are getting an allergy attack, but overlapping symptoms are making it difficult to diagnose," said internal medicine consultant, Arindam Biswas. "Allergies lead to swellings in the respiratory tract and the nostrils, which are also prone to viral attacks. Viruses get attracted to swollen areas very quickly, which means one can lead to the other," he explained. Manipal Hospitals infectious diseases physician, Sayan Chakrabarty cautioned that even a mild cough can be a sign that the child's body is reacting to something more than a virus. Thus, he advised patients to don't self-medicate."A cold usually develops gradually and may come with a fever, while allergies strike suddenly, last longer, and don't cause a fever at all. During the monsoon, triggers like dust mites and mould can easily spark allergies ," said Vamsidhar Kedar, consultant paediatrician, Paediatric & Adult Allergist at Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, Hyderabad. Allergy attacks are often characterised by a series of sneezes in the morning, which doesn't recur during the rest of the day. Also, there could be body rashes, explained Chakrabarty. So, when should parents begin to worry? If your child keeps coughing without relief, sneezes mostly in the mornings, or wakes up congested day after day, it might not be just a cold, said Kedar, advising that children must not be taken to crowded places when there's a known outbreak.The infection was lasting two to three days for most children, said Fortis Hospital paediatrician Sumita Saha. "It was more severe for those below three years old. The rest are recovering quickly, though we have come across a fair number of allergy patients," she added.