Blow-hot-blow-cold winter makes it worse for resp disease patients
Times of India | 10 January 2025
123 Kolkata: The mercury fluctuation is causing various ailments, including persistent cough, runny nose, throat congestion, and chest infection among Kolkatans. The minimum temperature dipped nearly three notches on Thursday from that of Wednesday. While the mercury is expected to remain around the normal mark or a bit below that for the next two days, the Met office has predicted a rise above the normal mark from Sunday.
Health experts said temperature fluctuation can trigger both asthmatic reactions, and viral and bacterial infections. The most vulnerable are infants, the elderly and people with existing health issues.
"When temperature fluctuates, it can suppress the local immunity, particularly in children and the elderly. We are getting many respiratory viral infections, in which a patient is affected by one or more pathogens," said microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri of Peerless Hospital.
Western disturbances over the northwestern region pushed up the mercury above the normal mark on at least three occasions. Now, even as the mercury starts dipping, one more such weather system is expected to develop that will again block the path of the cold-bearing wind and cause the temperature to rise.
"I notice a surge in hospital admissions due to severe chest infections, like COPD. Cough and cold are prevalent irrespective of gender. On an average, per day, I see seven-eight patients with this issue. There is no HMPV case as yet, although there is more than the usual number of cough-and-cold patients in the hospital," said Joydeep Ghosh, consultant, internal medicine, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur.
Doctors, however, cautioned against self-medication as many tend to pop over-the-counter antibiotics and cough syrup. They said that in most cases, the condition is self-limiting and will cease once the temperature settles. But patients with other pre-existing conditions should not neglect these ‘easy' ailments.
"The fluctuation in mercury can affect the mucociliary clearance, a process by which the respiratory system's airways clear themselves of inhaled particles and microbes. When this system gets overwhelmed, it can cause respiratory tract infections. We are getting many such patients. Taking an influenza vaccine, wearing a mask, and practising hand hygiene can help," said internal medicine specialist Rahul Jain of Belle Vue Clinic.
"An average of 10-12 kids with cold, cough, and fever are visiting me every day. Kids under one with Respiratory Syncytial Virus, pneumonia, and measles are being admitted, and children above one or older are showing symptoms of both viral and bacterial pneumonia. Young children suffering from cold, cough, and fever are easily cured," said Sumita Saha, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur.