Kolkata croaks its way through temp swings after viral surge onslaught
Times of India | 6 September 2026
Kolkata: A persistent throat infection with a lingering, low fever has laid thousands low and croaking in Kolkata over the last week. The infection has triggered a sharp pain in the throat and a voice choke, leaving those affected struggling to speak. Frequent temperature changes and fluctuating humidity were the reasons behind a quick spread of multiple viruses that may have resulted in this sore throat outbreak, said physicians.
The city is already in the midst of a viral outbreak with swine flu, Influenza A, B and para-influenza having affected thousands. The throat infection is an off-shoot of these viruses, said doctors. Charnock Hospital has been receiving scores of such patients over the last few days. “This is a post-viral throat infection that has been refusing to go despite medication. It has been mostly striking those who have had a viral infection, and affecting the upper respiratory tract for a prolonged period. The result is a nagging cough, throat pain, difficulty in swallowing and a croaking voice,” said Charnock head of pulmonology Soumya Sengupta.
He added that rather than medicines, this has to be treated by drinking warm water, having anti-cough lozenges and avoiding temperature fluctuations. “While cough syrups may help to control the irritating cough, it has been taking more than a week for the pain to subside and to recover voice. It’s important to prevent temperature changes and avoid fleeting in and out of AC rooms,” said Sengupta, adding that the hospital OPD has been swarmed by those with a croaking voice.
The recent temperature fluctuations have activated viruses like rhinovirus, metapneumo virus, and respiratory syncytial, Influenza viruses and adenovirus that strike routinely with every temperature fluctuation, said RTIICS intensivist Sauren Panja. “These viruses have been triggering upper respiratory tract infections with cough and fever as symptoms. A post-viral (or post-infectious) cough is a subacute cough lasting anywhere from three to eight weeks after the initial infection has cleared. The virus damages the delicate mucosal lining of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Even after the virus is gone, the surrounding tissue stays inflamed and takes weeks to heal,” explained Panja.
Along with viral, bacterial infections have also been affecting the throat, said Manipal Hospital infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. “It has been triggering laryngitis, causing throat inflammation and resulting in a choked and changed voice. For viruses, antibiotics won’t work and steam inhalation and anti-inflammatory cough syrups are the best option. Those suffering a bacterial infection need antibiotics,” added Chakrabarty.
A large number of youngsters have been affected. With school exams due to commence in a week, parents — many of whom are suffering from a similar infection — are worried about their kids. The most standout symptom of the outbreak was a choked voice that made hundreds panic and scurry to doctors. The outbreak could continue for a fortnight more till the mercury settles down, say doctors.
Most suffered exacerbations triggered by allergens that infiltrate lungs with pollutants, said Peerless Hospital microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury. “Since we already have multiple viruses in circulation, the post-viral cough will strike till the outbreak is controlled,” added Chaudhury.
At BP Poddar Hospital, there has been a surge in patients with cough, cold, sore throat, fever, nasal congestion, body ache and, in some cases, breathing discomfort. In the last three days, I have seen more than 20 patients in my OPD with similar symptoms.
While most of them are being managed symptomatically, the elderly, children and those with underlying co-morbidities are more susceptible to complications. We had to admit two patients who developed secondary bacterial infections that progressed to pneumonia and required closer medical management,” said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant physician, BP Poddar.
“Since post-viral coughs are inflammatory rather than active infections, antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment focuses on soothing the irritation and managing symptoms while the airways recover,” said Sengupta.