Patna: With change in weather and rapid fluctuations in day and night temperatures, cases of respiratory infection, prolonged cough, headache, viral fever with running nose and sore throat have increased in people of all age groups in the state capital. Health experts cite air pollution, dry weather with pollen grains and dust, along with change in weather as some of the reasons for the surge in such health issues.
For instance, geriatric department of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) has witnessed nearly 50% increase in patients with respiratory issues recently. “While flu cases are being reported throughout the year and have increased from past few months, recently there has been an increase in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma,” said Dr Amrendra Prasad Singh, who is looking after elderly patients at geriatric department. He said apart from flu and respiratory tract infection, surge in typhoid cases are also being reported, especially in students staying in hostel. “These are because of bacteria in food and water,” he added.
Apart from elderly, even children, who come in the extreme of age group, are facing the brunt of viral infection. Noted paediatrician, Dr Nigam Prakash Narain, said children below one year were coming with acute bronchiolitis. “Such children have cough and breathlessness along with wheezing sound. Children above one year and those going to school were coming with viral infection of respiratory tract,” said Narain, adding there has been a surge of nearly 20 to 25% in such cases in the last 10 days.
Former president of state IMA, Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, “There has also been an increase in conjunctivitis, bronchitis and asthma. It takes nearly 10 to 12 days to recover and in some cases the recovery may get delayed.”
For instance, geriatric department of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) has witnessed nearly 50% increase in patients with respiratory issues recently. “While flu cases are being reported throughout the year and have increased from past few months, recently there has been an increase in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma,” said Dr Amrendra Prasad Singh, who is looking after elderly patients at geriatric department. He said apart from flu and respiratory tract infection, surge in typhoid cases are also being reported, especially in students staying in hostel. “These are because of bacteria in food and water,” he added.
Apart from elderly, even children, who come in the extreme of age group, are facing the brunt of viral infection. Noted paediatrician, Dr Nigam Prakash Narain, said children below one year were coming with acute bronchiolitis. “Such children have cough and breathlessness along with wheezing sound. Children above one year and those going to school were coming with viral infection of respiratory tract,” said Narain, adding there has been a surge of nearly 20 to 25% in such cases in the last 10 days.
Former president of state IMA, Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, “There has also been an increase in conjunctivitis, bronchitis and asthma. It takes nearly 10 to 12 days to recover and in some cases the recovery may get delayed.”