Fungus leaves Mumbaikars breathless

There is a fungus in the air that has resulted in Mumbaikars complaining of breathlessness this winter. Doctors are witnessing an increasing number of people with upper respiratory problems and viral infections. Laboratory tests have revealed 15-20% of these cases are because of aspergillus fumigatus (A fumigatus).

“Around 15-20% people who visit us for breathlessness are testing positive for A fumigatus infection. It can trigger breathlessness in people who are not asthama patients. People often mistake it as a sign of an asthma attack,” said Dr Vipla Puri, head of RIA department at Hinduja hospital.

A fumigatus is a common mold found in the soil. It also grows in piles of compost. Doctors have found that A fumigatus can grow inside the lungs of people with asthama or those who are allergic to the mold. This can damage the lungs.

“The infection is found in people suffering from asthma and diabetes. This season, I have seen many people suffering from breathlessness because of the fungus. It grows rapidly in a person’s lungs. When the patient does not respond to treatment, we ask him to go for the fungus test. People with weak immune systems are more prone to the infection,” explained Dr Asha Pherwani, who specialises in asthma and allergic treatments.    

Dr Vijay Yewale, convenor of immunisation committee, agrees with Dr Pherwani. “A fumigatus is common with humid weather. Though we had a chilly winter, the humidity was high. Many people got the infection because of low immunity level. Only people with low immunity or those having lung diseases get affected with this fungus, “ he said.

For the past five days, the suspended particulate matter (spm) has been at an all time high. Smog can cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems as well as eye irritation and reduced resistance to colds and lung infections. Citizens end up breathing a cocktail of lethal gases trapped in the smog. Weather bureau records show that Mumbai witnesses 60 to 70 hazy days between November and February.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), meanwhile, said Mumbai will see no drop in temperature in the coming days. “The warmer wind from the southeast is also hitting the city along with the colder northerly winds, due to which there will be an increase in temperature in the coming days. The minimum temperature is expected to cross 16 degrees,” said RV Sharma, deputy director of the IMD (Western region).

Doctors are expecting another spurt in viral infection cases later. “An increase in temperature will cause greater viral activity and will reduce the immunity of people. They will be more susceptible to allergies due to the combined effect of cold and smog. We are still getting many cases of viral pneumonia, diarrhea and viral dysentery,” said Dr Yewale.