Patients are coming in with issues of breathlessness, cough, throat irritation, wheezing and sneezing, either as symptoms of an allergy or a viral infection
BENGALURU
The city’s air pollution has led to a spike in several ailments among children, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions.
Doctors have seen a rise in pollution-related ailments over the past two to three weeks. This is due to city’s air quality, which has fluctuated between satisfactory and moderate over the last two weeks, they say.
Cases of respiratory infections, asthma flare-ups, eye irritation and dry skin are significantly higher this season, as are the severity of the symptoms. This spike has affected the “vulnerable category” the most, children, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions.
Dr Chandil Gunashekar, a general physician in Whitefield, has observed a 20-25 percent increase in Upper Respiratory Tract infections (URI) compared to last December. Cough, asthma symptoms and respiratory infections are the most common complaints, he says.
Dr Sachin Kumar, Director of Pulmonology and critical care medicine at a private hospital, says, outpatient footfall for respiratory complaints has increased by 20 percent in the last two weeks. Both infectious and non-infectious respiratory symptoms are higher this year, he adds.
Patients are coming in with issues of breathlessness, cough, throat irritation, wheezing and sneezing, either as symptoms of an allergy or a viral infection.
Among allergy-related respiratory complaints, Dr Shalini Joshi, internal medicine specialist at a private hospital, estimates a 30% increase. “Consistently poor air quality worsens people’s tolerance to pollen. Pollutants make the airway more reactive and sensitive, worsening existing pollen allergies,” she adds.
Eye-related complaints are another concern. Dr Naren Shetty, opthalmologist and director at a private hospital, says eye irritation, dryness and redness have increased by around 30 percent this year. Allergic conjunctivitis cases are up by nearly 60 percent compared to December 2024, he adds.
Dr Kumar says that viral illnesses that earlier resolved in two to three days are now lasting up to 10 days. Also, patients with diabetes, kidney or heart disease, and people without prior respiratory illness are developing pneumonia. In some cases, they require oxygen support or ICU care, he says.