Non-flu viral fevers rising this summer

CASES SURGED POST EID TRAVEL PERIOD, DOCTORS SAY

- BY SAJILA SASEENDRAN Chief Reporter

If you have been down with a high fever, sore throat, or a persistent cough this summer, but tested negative for flu and Covid-19, you are not alone.

Doctors report a rise in non-influenza viral fevers since late May, a trend they say is likely to continue into early autumn.

From school children to working adults and the elderly, patients are visiting clinics and hospitals with symptoms like fever, body aches, dry cough, fatigue and even gastrointestinal issues and yet returning negative test results for influenza or coronavirus.

"Many patients are presenting with high fevers, fatigue, and body aches, but testing negative for influenza and Covid-19," said Dr Tomador Tageldin, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Bur-jeel Medical Centre, Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi.

"This spike aligns with seasonal viral patterns observed in warmer climates and appears to be continuing through the summer months," she explained.