Mumbai: The rainy season done with, the city is back being humid, and the rise in day temperatures has brought with it the annual host of viral ailments. Doctors are reporting a sharp spike in cases of cough, cold and viral fever over the last few days, and blame air pollution due to Diwali fireworks as another reason.
Civic hospitals have admitted an average of 250 patients with fever every day in the past week. The BMC said hospitals admitted 257 patients on Monday alone, and 7,214 patients have been admitted to its hospitals this month.
“Compared to last October, the figure seems low. Last year, we had admitted 14,156 patients. Cases in private hospitals are fewer,” Dr. Minnie Khetarpal, epidemiologist, BMC, said.
“The problem is that people afflicted with viral fever tend to continue to work or go to school or college, instead of resting at home. This not only aggravates the viral, it also leads to the infection spreading.”
Constant change in body temperature during October also gives rise to viral infections. Dr. Pratit Samdani, who practices at several south Mumbai hospitals, said this has been the trend for the past several years. “Most people travel in excessively humid conditions and then get into an air conditioned room. This cycle continues throughout the day, affecting the body’s mechanism drastically.” He said five to 10 patients with viral fever have been visting him every day in the past few weeks. “Simple symptomatic treatment like paracetamol and steam inhalation and plenty of rest and hydration is enough for recovery in most cases,” he said.
While there seems to be a slight nip in the air, the Regional Meteorological Centre hasn’t recorded drastic fluctuations in temperatures. On Monday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 26.2°C and a maximum of 33.2°C. On Tuesday, the minimum fell to 22.6°C while the maximum stayed constant at 33.2°C.
Dr. Hemant Gupta, a city-based physician, said most patients are reporting a typical post-nasal drip leading to accumulation of mucus in the throat or the upper airway. “This is generally caused by pollution, allergies and lower temperatures. Pollution rose during Diwali and triggered allergies and discomfort. The temperature had changed slightly in some areas, but most of us will acclimatise if we have good immunity.”
