Similarly, 25-year-old Tanvi is all tensed as she is down with fever when her marriage is barely a month away and preparations have come to a stand still. She too asked her doctor to give her a shot of paracetamol injection for a fast recovery. There are many youngsters like Sujit and Tanvi, who opt for quick relief from fever — most commonly malaria and viral that has gripped the city. However, doctors still prefer the traditional medicines to treat their patients. “Many young professionals come to us saying they have utilised their medical leaves and need to resume work as soon as possible. This especially include those working in IT companies as they miss out on their incentives,” said Dr Jayesh Lele, a physician at Malad. “It’s just a common belief among masses that injections give faster relief. Such a perception is seen in the daily wage workers but now in this jet age many youngsters also want speedy recovery so opt for injections. More than 20 per cent of my patients ask for injections now,” Dr Lele added.

“Injections are needed for those who are continuously vomiting and can’t consume medicines orally. But once the vomiting stops, patients should switch back to oral medication,” said Dr Rajnikant Sanghavi, a family physician in Ghatkopar.

“Sudden change in climate brings along with it new viruses. After monsoon withdraws, there is a sudden dryness in the air which leads to bronchitis and fever,” said Dr Lele.

But in the attempt to get faster relief, one gets resistant to the medicines. “Overuse of vaccines leads to resistance. For example, use of Zantamicine drug in fever means the body is exposed to the vaccine and will be resistant to it. And in serious conditions like pneumonia, the vaccine will prove ineffective. Moreover, side effects like rashes also occur,” said Dr Lele. Though paracetamol injections, used to curb the virus, are not as harmful as antibiotic injections, doctors opt for oral medication.

Besides injections, doctors are worried about the overuse of antibiotic medicines for fever. “Normally fever can’t be classified as malaria, dengue, typhoid, or just as viral in the first couple of days, so patients buy those medicines over the counter that was prescribed earlier. Only when their condition worsens, they visit the doctors,” said Dr Vijay Panjabi, consultant family physician and former state president for Indian Medical Association.