Pune: Recent abrupt changes in weather patterns have triggered a spurt in respiratory infections, allergies and general exacerbation of conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma, city doctors told TOI this week.
The reports come alongside a drop in dengue and chikungunya cases in the city.
"Dry weather, interspersed with hotter days and cooler nights, may be contributing to this rise in allergies," said Dr Prakash Shende, professor at Dr DY Patil Medical College.
"We've been noticing an increase in upper respiratory tract infections accompanied by a dry cough," he said, adding that fluctuating weather has also affected those with asthma and COPD.
"But these are not H1N1 patients. These are cases with general viral fevers and allergic reactions. I'm now seeing about 25-30 patients daily with upper respiratory tract infections, a significant increase compared to the days when dengue and chikungunya were prevalent," Dr Shende said.
Dr Aniket Joshi, intensivist at Lokmanya Hospital, said the last one week has seen a big drop in vector-borne diseases. "I used to see 2-3 patients a day, which is now down to 2-3 a week," he said.
He added: "But we're seeing more patients with chest infections and respiratory issues. The sudden change in weather seems to be a factor."
Dr Amita Kaul, head of pediatrics at Surya Mother and Child Hospital said: "We have seen a significant decrease in dengue and chikungunya among children. We still get a few cases, but the count has dropped to one to two patients a day, from the earlier 5-6. Currently, most of our ICU admissions are patients with respiratory illnesses, which can be attributed to reduction in humidity coupled with cooler nights."
Dr Kaul added: "Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has arrived earlier than usual, another likely consequence of the sudden shift in weather. Infants, particularly preterm babies and neonates, are hit the hardest. They get severe cough, lethargy and in extreme cases, apnea (where they briefly stop breathing) and may need hospitalisation and respiratory support, ranging from oxygen therapy to ventilation."
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Neha Madaan is a senior feature writer at The Times of India, Pun...
Read MoreNeha Madaan is a senior feature writer at The Times of India, Pune. She holds an M A degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from University of Pune. She covers tourism, heritage development and its conservation, apart from an array of subjects such as civic issues, environment, astronomy, civic school education as well as social issues concerning persons with disabilities. Her interests include metaphysical research and animal rights.
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