There has been a surge in throat infections due to rising air pollution levels, which has become the biggest public health risk
Across India’s major cities, hospitals and ENT clinics are witnessing an alarming surge in patients complaining of sore throat, chronic cough, tonsillitis, hoarseness, and persistent throat irritation. What once appeared as seasonal discomfort is now stretching across the calendar. Medical professionals increasingly point to worsening air quality-marked by dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and toxic gases-as a key driver behind this troubling trend.
Air quality index (AQI) readings in several urban centres have repeatedly crossed hazardous thresholds this year, coinciding with a noticeable spike in throat-related ailments. Doctors say the pattern is too consistent to ignore.
A Chronic Trigger
ENT specialists report that the impact of polluted air is no longer limited to short-term irritation. According to Dr. Swapnil Brajpuriya, Senior Consultant and Head of Unit (ENT) at Asian Hospital, clinics are seeing a sharp rise in chronic and compounded throat conditions. “As the level of pollution increases, a major increase in the number of chronic cases of the throat is being observed, with recurring tonsillitis, chronic laryngitis, and constant pharyngeal irritation becoming frequent,” he says. “Most patients now report symptoms throughout the year rather than seasonally, indicating a strong environmental impact.”
Repeated inflammation caused by prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter weakens throat tissues, leading to higher recurrence rates and, in some cases, the need for surgical intervention.
Long-Term Consequences
Similar observations are echoed by Dr. Abhinit Kumar, Senior Consultant ENT at Aakash Healthcare, who warns that polluted air is contributing to deeper, structural throat problems. “There is growing evidence of recurrent laryngitis, persistent hoarseness, and repeated throat infections directly linked to long-term exposure to contaminated urban air,” Dr. Kumar explains. “Fine particles and toxic gases undermine local immunity, allowing inflammation to become chronic rather than episodic.”
Some patients develop tonsillar hypertrophy due to repeated infections, occasionally progressing to obstruction or infection cycles that necessitate surgery.
Throat Woes
Beyond symptoms, physicians are observing measurable physiological changes that correlate closely with pollution spikes. Dr. Brajpuriya notes that ENT examinations during high-AQI days reveal visibly inflamed and congested mucosal linings. “We often see thickened secretions, dryness caused by irritant gases, and impaired ciliary mechanisms,” he said. “This leads to mucus stagnation and chronic coughing. Laryngoscopic exams frequently show redness and swelling of the vocal cords, especially in patients with high outdoor exposure.” Dr. Kumar adds that slowed ciliary movement — the tiny hair-like structures responsible for clearing mucus-results in persistent throat clearing and prolonged discomfort.
Kids Bear The Brunt
The impact of polluted air is particularly concerning among children. Dr. Akshay Mehta, Senior Consultant in Neonatology and Paediatrics at Motherhood Hospitals, reports a noticeable rise in recurring throat problems among young patients. “This year, we are seeing more children with recurrent tonsillitis, chronic throat irritation, and long-lasting coughs that return every few weeks,” Dr. Mehta said. “Many of these children were not infection-prone earlier, but prolonged exposure to polluted air appears to be weakening their airway defence.” In some cases, persistently enlarged tonsils and adenoids cause sleep disturbances and mouth breathing, prompting families to consider surgical options.
Physiological Changes
Dr. Mehta notes that the physiological signs in children become more pronounced during pollution spikes. “On high-AQI days, children often have red, swollen throats with thicker mucus coating the airway,” he explained. “Impaired ciliary function makes mucus harder to clear, leading to persistent coughing, post-nasal drip, and voice strain.”
Encouragingly, these symptoms tend to ease when air quality improves or when children remain indoors with cleaner air.
From Mumbai to Delhi-NCR, the trend is consistent. Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, confirms that internal medicine departments are seeing the same pattern.
“There is a clear rise in recurrent throat infections, chronic laryngitis, and persistent cough this year,” she said. “On high pollution days, patients show redness, swelling of the throat lining, and thick, sticky mucus, indicating impaired clearance of irritants.”
Call for Clean Air
The transition from temporary throat irritation to chronic disease highlights the long-term consequences of sustained exposure to polluted air. As cities grapple with worsening air quality, doctors warn that without effective environmental interventions, breathing and even speaking comfortably may continue to become a daily struggle for millions. The message from clinics is clear: polluted air is no longer just an environmental issue-it is reshaping the health of urban throats, one breath at a time.
