India, April 9 -- As temperatures surge past seasonal norms, major hospitals in the city are seeing a steep rise-up to 25% compared to the previous year-in cases of heat-related illness and viral infection. Doctors say the overlap of symptoms related to heat exhaustion and viral illness is making diganosis complicated, often prolonging recovery.

"We've seen a 10-15% spike in patients with heat-related conditions such as dehydration, fainting spells, and exhaustion," said Dr Raj Kishore Agarwal, senior consultant in general medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel. "That's almost a 10% rise from the same time last year - and we're still in early April."

Dr BA Chaurasia, consultant in internal medicine at Kokilaben Hospital, said consultati...