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Freaky weather will play havoc with our health: Doctors
Pratibha Masand, TNN 11 November 2009, 03:47am IST
MUMBAI: For more than a week now, Mumbaikars have been battling the sniffles and the flu thanks to fluctuating weather and humidity. And these
unseasonal rains aren't going to make things any better, say city doctors, who are expecting an increase in viral and bacterial infections.
Dr Altaf Patel from Jaslok Hospital, Pedder Road, said that he has seen an almost 30% increase in patients suffering from viral infections in the last one week alone. "We are seeing so many patients with viral respiratory illnesses, which are followed by bacterial infections too. The freakish temperature always takes a toll on people's health. Over the last few days, the city is seeing an exceptional variation in temperatures," he said.
Respiratory illnesses are also on the rise. "Viruses are not only causing rashes and fever in the city, but have also been responsible for an increase in bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections. Nearly 50% of the cases we see are bacterial," said Dr Hemant Thacker. Many doctors are predicting an even sharper increase in the number of patients after the weather bureau's prediction of heavy rain over the next two days. "We have been seeing a steady inflow of patients suffering from upper respiratory infections, fever, cough and cold. But this is likely to increase," said Dr Suhas Pingle, secretary, Indian Medical Association, Maharashtra.
According to chest physician, Dr Rohini Chowghule, there might be a rise in viral cases after Tuesday's rains. "But this is not a one-day phenomenon. The increase in numbers might not be drastically different only after a day of rainfall. But if the weather continues this way - as the weather bureau has predicted - then it might be cause for concern," she said.
Pratibha Masand, TNN 11 November 2009, 03:47am IST
MUMBAI: For more than a week now, Mumbaikars have been battling the sniffles and the flu thanks to fluctuating weather and humidity. And these
unseasonal rains aren't going to make things any better, say city doctors, who are expecting an increase in viral and bacterial infections.
Dr Altaf Patel from Jaslok Hospital, Pedder Road, said that he has seen an almost 30% increase in patients suffering from viral infections in the last one week alone. "We are seeing so many patients with viral respiratory illnesses, which are followed by bacterial infections too. The freakish temperature always takes a toll on people's health. Over the last few days, the city is seeing an exceptional variation in temperatures," he said.
Respiratory illnesses are also on the rise. "Viruses are not only causing rashes and fever in the city, but have also been responsible for an increase in bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections. Nearly 50% of the cases we see are bacterial," said Dr Hemant Thacker. Many doctors are predicting an even sharper increase in the number of patients after the weather bureau's prediction of heavy rain over the next two days. "We have been seeing a steady inflow of patients suffering from upper respiratory infections, fever, cough and cold. But this is likely to increase," said Dr Suhas Pingle, secretary, Indian Medical Association, Maharashtra.
According to chest physician, Dr Rohini Chowghule, there might be a rise in viral cases after Tuesday's rains. "But this is not a one-day phenomenon. The increase in numbers might not be drastically different only after a day of rainfall. But if the weather continues this way - as the weather bureau has predicted - then it might be cause for concern," she said.
