An artistic image of the influenza virus -Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Aug 25, 2025 (BSS) – Fifty seven percent of patients who come to the hospital with fever, cold, cough, headache, and body aches this year are infected with influenza, according to data of IEDCR and icddr,b.

The outbreak of fever is spreading across the country as people regardless of ages are getting infected with this fever. 

Various symptoms including severe pain in the body are appearing along with the fever. The infected have to suffer for one to two weeks. Even after the fever gets better, physical weakness remains for long. Children, the elderly, patients with respiratory distress and those with low immunity are suffering more.
Whenever someone gets a fever, it comes in mind whether he or she is infected by dengue or chikungunya. 

However, this year people are being infected with influenza virus in most cases. 
This year compared to the last few years, many more people are getting infected with this virus. 

Experts say that this year, most people are infected with seasonal fever. Patients are coming with fever for two to three days. If one person has fever, others in the family also get fever.

The symptoms are almost the same. Fever caused by common viruses and respiratory tract infections is more common. 

Experts advised that if mild symptoms appear, one should not get panicked rather he or she should take rest at home, drink enough water, maintain cleanliness, wear a mask, and drink hot liquids. 

Antibiotics should not be taken in any way during the first three days of fever without the advice of a doctor.

An analysis of data from several hospitals in different parts of the country, including the capital, has shown that the pressure of patients bringing fever to hospitals has increased for some time. 

The demand for fever medicines has increased this month compared to last month. Tests have increased during this time.

Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Advisor Dr. Md. Mushtaq Hossain said influenza is increasing this year. Dengue and chikungunya are also increasing this year compared to last year, he said.

He said during this time, one should not be afraid of fever and should immediately seek medical advice. 

“If one gets a fever, he or she should not get panicked rather should take liquid food frequently during this time,” he said.

In July this year, IEDCR and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) conducted influenza surveillance on 1,847 patients with symptoms such as high fever, cough and body ache in 19 hospitals. 
It was found that about 57 percent of the infected people were infected with influenza. About 6 out of every 10 people were infected with influenza. In 2023, this rate was much lower; 25 percent. In 2024, the highest infection was in June; 37 percent. This is the highest detection rate in a month since 2007, according to IEDCR.

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal flu is caused by respiratory infection with the influenza virus, which is spread through sneezing and coughing. 

Most patients recover without treatment, but high-risk individuals can become seriously ill.

Public health expert Lelin Chowdhury said that influenza is a type of virus and the fever caused by this virus is like seasonal fever.
 
“The fever in influenza virus can be very high or low along with body ache, severe headache, cough and weakness. There may or may not be a cold, much like the symptoms of corona or dengue. Sometimes there is a rash on the body. But there is no bleeding,” he said.

Stating that there is no specific medicine for influenza, he said that paracetamol-like medicines should be taken to reduce fever as this virus is not fatal like dengue or corona.

According to the icddrb, the influenza (flu) season in Bangladesh runs from April to September. 

Therefore, personal hygiene rules (wearing masks, covering your mouth when sneezing and coughing, washing hands and so on) should be followed during the flu season. 

It is also recommended to get vaccinated against the influenza virus every year before the start of the flu season. 

It is especially important for people at risk (over 65 years of age, those suffering from chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory problems, healthcare providers, pregnant women, children aged 6 months to 5 years) to get vaccinated. 

If for some reason one cannot get vaccinated before the start of the flu season, he or she can get the flu vaccine even after the season starts.
According to information received from Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, 4,024 children came to the hospital with cold and cough in June. This number increased to 6,255 in July. In that month, 9,367 children received treatment in the hospital's outpatient department (OPD). Of these, 6,255, or 66.67 percent, suffered from cold and fever.

In the first 20 days of August, 2,229 children received treatment in the OPD of this hospital. Of these, 1,921, or 86.18 percent, came with cold and fever.
Meanwhile, the IEDCR has advised people to wash their hands frequently with soap, follow cough protocol, stay away from healthy people if they have fever, cough, or shortness of breath, avoid public gatherings as much as possible, and use masks if necessary.