Dengue and viral fevers
Including chikungunya and flu, with careful monitoring through the critical days.
Fever and infections · Aminjikarai, Chennai
Fever and infection care in Chennai
Most fevers settle in a few days. Some need a closer look: fevers that last longer than three days, keep coming back, or come with warning signs. Finding the cause matters more than taking the next antibiotic.
Fever and infections
Infections I treat
Typhoid
Diagnosed with the right tests (blood culture rather than Widal alone) and treated fully.
Leptospirosis
Fever after wading through flood or rain water, common in Chennai's monsoon.
Urine and chest infections
Including pneumonia and repeated urinary infections.
Tuberculosis
Lung and non-lung TB, with full-course treatment and follow-up.
Fever without a cause
Fevers lasting weeks, and infections in people with diabetes or low immunity.
Good to know
When a fever needs a doctor
See a doctor if:
- the fever lasts more than three days
- you have diabetes, kidney disease, are over 65, or take steroids or cancer treatment
- the fever comes with a rash, joint pain, burning urine, or cough with breathlessness
- fevers keep coming back over weeks
Antibiotics don't work on viral fevers. Starting leftover antibiotics at home can hide the cause and make later tests less accurate, so it's better to get the right test first.
During dengue season, paracetamol is the safe choice for fever. Avoid ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin until dengue has been ruled out.
Don't wait for an OPD slot
Dengue warning signs: go to the emergency department even if the fever has come down
- Severe stomach pain or repeated vomiting
- Bleeding from gums or nose, or black stools
- Feeling very drowsy or restless
- Passing very little urine, or cold, clammy skin
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which dengue test should I do?
In the first five days of fever, the NS1 antigen test is most useful. After about day five, dengue IgM antibodies become positive. Your doctor will pick the right one based on the day of fever.
Is a platelet count of 50,000 dangerous?
Not on its own. Warning signs and changes in other blood tests matter more than the platelet number, and most people recover without a platelet transfusion.
Is the Widal test enough to diagnose typhoid?
No. Widal often gives false positives. A blood culture taken before antibiotics is the most reliable test.
Should I take an antibiotic for fever?
Only if a bacterial infection is likely. Most short fevers are viral and get better without antibiotics.
Do you see children?
I see adults. For children, please see a paediatrician.
Do you consult in Tamil?
Yes. Consultations are in Tamil or English. தமிழிலும் பேசலாம்.
Patients visit from Aminjikarai, Anna Nagar, Kilpauk, Chetpet, Shenoy Nagar, Purasawalkam, Arumbakkam and across Chennai.
Appointments
88077 79174
Call or WhatsApp for appointments and timings. Please don't send reports or ask for treatment advice here; bring them to the OPD.
You can also book online at MGM Healthcare or call the hospital on 044 4524 2407.
More from the OPD
Other areas of care
This page gives general information and is not a substitute for a consultation. Timings, what to bring and more →