Delhi air pollution health impact: As the temperature begins to drop, and the air quality continues to worsen, doctors across the Delhi-NCR are witnessing rise in cases of fever, cough, cold, and flu-like symptoms.
Currently, multiple diseases looms at large, as cases of there is a “cocktail” of microbes in the air that’s causing swine flu, influenza, Covid, dengue, chikungunya, cholera and typhoid.
“Over the past month, we have observed numerous cases in our hospital presenting with fever, cough, cold, and flu-like symptoms. The most common symptoms include high-grade fever, cough with expectoration or dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, breathlessness in some patients, and chest pain in others,” Dr Puneet Gupta, Head – Pulmonology, Intervention Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Yatharth Hospital, Noida Extension told Financial Express.com.
As temperatures drop and air quality worsens due to pollution, viral growth in the environment increases, affecting the upper respiratory tract.
“In some cases, it can lead to pneumonia. It is advisable to wear a mask when outdoors or in crowded places, especially during early morning and late evening hours, and to limit outdoor activities whenever possible,” Dr. Gupta warned.
Anyone experiencing high-grade fever, cough, or cold symptoms should consult a pulmonologist.
“Those with flu-like symptoms should practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to consume seasonal fruits, stay well-hydrated, and wear masks when visiting crowded places, hospitals, or clinics. By following these preventive measures, we can protect our loved ones, family members, and communities, he said.
‘Gradual rise in flu and respiratory cases’
In most cases, viral fevers have overlapping symptoms which makes it difficult to identify a cause. As the immunity system gets weak due to one virus, the body gets vulnerable to other viruses floating around.
“I wouldn’t say there’s been a sharp spike in the last two or three days, but there has been a noticeable increase over the past couple of weeks. The rise in flu and respiratory cases, which started about two weeks ago, has continued. Additionally, there have been numerous dengue cases as well. So, if they’re asking specifically about the last few days, the answer is no. However, if they’re referring to the past two weeks or the last month, then yes, flu cases have definitely been on the rise,” Dr Rakesh Gupta , Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals told Financial Express.com.
The rise in flu, respiratory infections, and dengue cases over the past couple of weeks can be attributed to several factors. With the increase in pollution levels, particularly in the last few days, air quality has worsened, which often triggers or exacerbates respiratory issues such as the flu, colds, and other viral infections, the Internal Medicine specialist maintained.
“Poor air quality weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. The change in weather as we transition into winter also plays a role, as fluctuating temperatures create an environment conducive to the spread of viruses. Additionally, dengue cases are on the rise, which is common during the post-monsoon season when stagnant water becomes breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dengue outbreaks typically spike around this time of year due to increased mosquito activity. Combined with environmental factors, these conditions have led to a rise in both flu and dengue cases over the past two weeks, he said.
So, while there hasn’t been a sudden spike in the last few days, the gradual increase in cases over the past two weeks or month is significant, and healthcare systems are likely seeing more patients dealing with these issues, he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital told Financial Express.com that there has been a significant increase in patients coming in with fever and flu like symptoms.
“Almost 15-20 patients are coming in the OPD daily with fever. Besides dengue , typhoid and flu are the other two most common ailments presently . Warm weather along with particulate matter in the environment provides the perfect breeding ground for viruses hence there is a significant increases in flu cases. People should wear a mask when going out and frequently sanitize hands for prevention,” Dr. Tayal said.