Chennai: Temperature fluctuations in the city have not only caused a surge in vector borne diseases, but also respiratory ailments are seeing a rise. Pulmonologists are witnessing a rise in the number of cases of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, nasal infections, Asthma and Chronic Objective Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).
“A scorching Sun followed by sudden downpour these days is increasing the risk of complications and infections in asthmatic patients. People with atopy and allergic asthma develop allergies such as food allergies, allergic conjunctivitis, and other symptoms of hyper allergic state in a rainy season,” said Dr R Ranjith, senior consultant, Government Institute of thoracic medicine.
Pulmonologists say that the incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections has increased manifold since the monsoon set in because of the presence of allergens in the air and water that infect people. Hospital authorities at the Institute of thoracic medicine say that the cases have increased by 30 percent this year and are li4ely to increase, with a majority of asthma issues.
“Elderly and those suffering from COPD develop complications in varying weather conditions and catch airborne infections that directly affect the respiratory tract,” said Dr A. R. Shanthi, member, Doctors’ Association for Social Equality. She added that though cases rise usually in January every year, more respiratory ailments have been reported this year.
