The cool breeze you probably enjoy in the mornings and late evenings, as a respite from the afternoon heat, is what has led you to being under the weather, according to doctors.
The cool breeze you probably enjoy in the mornings and late evenings, as a respite from the afternoon heat, is what has led you to being under the weather, according to doctors.
The fluctuating weather and vast difference in day and night temperatures is dangerous health-wise and we are seeing a rise in upper respiratory tract ailments, especially throat infections.
The difference between Sunday and Monday's maximum and minimum temperatures has been close to 14.6 and 15.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to IMD officials. "As summer sets in, the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures is expected to rise," said VK Rajeev, director of weather forecast, IMD.
According to health experts, in the last one month, they have got a number of people with upper respiratory tract infections. "A rising number of Mumbaikars, specially children, are suffering from this due to the erratic weather. It's a kind of double whammy for children and parents, as it's exam season and the kids are missing out on crucial study time," said Dr Subhash Kedia, a physician at Bandra.
The common symptoms are dry cough, runny nose, fever and breathlessness.
Dr Mukesh Sanklecha, consultant paediatrician at Bombay Hospital, said: "The situation is bad. Children are being brought to us with severe wheezing problems and they are not responding to routine medications. Many require nebulisation."
According to doctors, they have seen a rising number of upper respiratory tract problems and bad cough lasting for 3-4 weeks. Doctors have warned people to be careful as cases of cough-cold and seasonal flu are likely to shoot up along with the temperature.
"In many cases, there is even recurrence of the ailment. The temperature variation is helping viruses flourish," said Dr Pratit Samdhani, a physician at Jaslok Hospital.
While the symptoms of seasonal flu are very close to swine flu, doctors say people in high-risk category with low immunity and secondary diseases should not delay in getting medical attention.
Dr Jalil Parker, chest physician at Lilavati hospital, said, "The number of patients afflicted with throat infection has definitely gone up. Some people even have a severe itch in their throats. This is happening because of the extreme weather conditions."
People should spend as less time in the sun as possible and use sun protection when they venture out, they advise, warning that more people may be attacked by serious ailments, such as dehydration, gastroenteritis and jaundice.
Swine flu update
A 56-year-old woman from Alibaug, succumbed to swine flu in Mumbai's Holy Spirit Hospital. The woman was transferred there from Tamboli memorial hospital in Raigad after her condition deteriorated. According to BMC health officials, she died of acute respiratory distress syndrome with sepsis and pneumonia. So far, 22 people have died of H1N1 in Mumbai hospitals, out of which seven are Mumbaikars.
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