Respiratory cases on the rise in hosps

With Delhi's air quality crossing the 'severe' mark on Wednesday, hospitals in the capital were swamped with patients complaining about breathlessness, headache, and fever.

"We have seen around a 15 per cent hike in the patients in our OPDs in the last two days. Though the casualty has not seen any patients yet, if this smog continues, there will be an inflow of patients suffering from choking/suffocation. Some of my staff members are also wheezing and complaining of burning eyes," said Dr Ritu Saxena, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Department of Accident and Emergency, Lok Nayak Hospital.

In the last three days, there has been a rise in the number of respiratory patients in the hospitals.

"In last few days, the number of patients has increased from 50-60 per cent with breathing problems. Patients are now also coming with severe problems like throat infection, respiratory tract infection and nasal allergies. Even asthmatic problems have increased. 

Patients with asthmatic problem are in a worse situation after the environmental changes after Diwali," said Dr Sandeep Nayar, Senior Consultant & HOD, Respiratory Medicine, Allergy & Sleep Disorder, BLK Super Speciality Hospital.