“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.