Weather vagaries, pollution spike leave Kolkata with a lingering cough
Times of India | 5 January 2025
123 Kolkata: Thousands struck by cough and cold infections across Kolkata have been left with a lingering cough that refuses to go despite medication. Bronchiolitis or ‘patchy pneumonia', an existing allergy, or rhinitis could be the reasons, say doctors. Asthma patients and those who suffered from a similar persistent cough in the past are being affected more. The majority of these patients are relatively young, though it is the elderly who suffer from respiratory tract infections more frequently, according to some hospitals.
The common cold, often caused by a viral upper respiratory tract infection, can progress to conditions like bronchiolitis or patchy pneumonia in some cases, according to Pinaki De, consultant physician at ILS Hospitals. "This progression explains why the cough tends to persist even after the initial symptoms subside. Maintaining proper hydration, rest, and symptomatic care is essential for recovery. If symptoms worsen or persist beyond two weeks, medical consultation is recommended. Occasionally, bronchodilator drugs appear helpful in the form of inhalers," added De.
OPDs across Manipal Hospitals, too, have seen a spurt in patients with lingering cough, according to Manipal infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. "While the elderly have had more severe respiratory infections like RSV, human metapneumo, rhinovirus, para-influenza, and pneumonia, the cough has afflicted patients across age groups. Our OPDs have been full of these patients over the past one week. A reason behind this could be that these patients are responding slowly to medication," said Chakrabarty.
Although not more than 10% of patients are getting admitted or coming to the OPD, many are suffering from this condition, said Amitabha Saha, critical care consultant at Desun Hospital. "It's being seen more in younger people. Those with asthma or allergic to dust or suspended particulate matter, which see a spike in levels during winter, are proving to be vulnerable. We have also noticed that those who have issues like reactive airway or allergic rhinitis or those who earlier suffered from such conditions are getting relapsed," added Saha.
Six out of 10 patients at Charnock OPD have a long cough now. This persistent cough is a ‘post-viral' symptom that is caused by the failure of the immune system to fight off the symptoms completely, said Charnock Hospital pulmonologist Soumya Sengupta. "The virus attacks the epithelial layer of the lungs that plays a key role in protecting the organ against infections. Also, many patients suffer from dual infection in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. While the lower part responds to treatment, the infection persists in the upper tract causing a long cough," said Sengupta.
Viral infections can lead to a persistent ‘viral cough' that is obstinate, according to internal medicine consultant Arindam Biswas. "If it persists for a fortnight, then anti-allergic medicines should be taken, if necessary, for a prolonged period. If that doesn't work, then investigations ought to be done and steroids taken under supervision of a doctor," added Biswas.