Chennai: Schoolchildren in Tamil Nadu are being affected in larger numbers by chickenpox and mumps, with doctors linking the rise to seasonal transition as the cold period ends and summer begins.
Government doctors said the current climate shift and increasing heat are contributing to the spread of these viral infections among children and students.
Chickenpox is described as a highly contagious viral illness. It typically begins with fever, fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite, and later causes small blisters to appear on the body. Doctors cautioned that pregnant women, newborns and people with low immunity face higher risk and should be especially vigilant during this season.
Mumps commonly causes swelling below the cheek and along one or both sides of the neck, and often resolves on its own within one to two weeks. However, doctors warned it can affect the pancreas and cause severe abdominal pain, trigger inflammation of the ovaries in girls, and lead to painful inflammation in the testes in boys.
They added that if the virus affects the spinal nerves and spreads towards the brain, it may lead to neck stiffness, delirium, severe headache and fainting. As the infections spread through cough, sneezing, runny nose and phlegm, doctors advised wearing masks in public, washing hands frequently and isolating for at least a week.
