Winter is here, watch out for viral ailments

Hyderabad: The winter has set in swiftly following the monsoon season in Hyderabad, which had remained active till October of this year. As day and night time temperatures drop in Hyderabad and surrounding Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts, water and vector-borne diseases are expected to make way for asthma, allergy, upper respiratory tract infections, cold and […]

Hyderabad: The winter has set in swiftly following the monsoon season in Hyderabad, which had remained active till October of this year. As day and night time temperatures drop in Hyderabad and surrounding Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts, water and vector-borne diseases are expected to make way for asthma, allergy, upper respiratory tract infections, cold and swine flu, along with Covid-19 cases.

It’s a fact that even a slight drop in temperatures is enough to trigger seasonal ailments. With the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continuing to remain active, public health officials said that till December, people should take all possible precautions to avoid getting infected.

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“During monsoons, vector-borne diseases including malaria and dengue were reported. However, till December, when temperatures drop, the public should be wary and cautious because these are ideal conditions for all kinds of viruses to circulate. We must ensure to take precautions and keep viral ailments under check,” says Director of Public Health (DPH) Dr G Srinivasa Rao.

Due to changing weather conditions, it is imperative for the public to prepare for the dry and cold winter that will continue till February in Hyderabad. The ailments that everybody must watch out for during winters include Covid-19, seasonal flu, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies and asthma.

Asthma
The cold and dry air during the winter seasons are well known to trigger asthma attacks. Among asthma patients, the lining of the airways swells, leading to narrowing of the airways. Sticky mucus or phlegm build-up also blocks airways, making it difficult to breathe and forced for asthma patients. In winters, the cold air causes airways to tighten further, making it even more difficult to breathe. Due to its chronic nature, asthma requires long term treatment and inhalers play a predominant part in leading a healthy life with asthma.

“Dust, cold, pollen, furry pets, circulating virus, air pollutants, and even emotional agitation act as triggers for an asthma attack. These attacks can be prevented via inhalation therapy which requires long term medication.

There are misconceptions that such medications are addictive, which is wrong. Many patients underutilise their medications or use their inhalers incorrectly, which at times cause them to discontinue treatment. The therapy for asthma should not be stopped without consultation,” says Superintendent, Chest Hospital, Dr Mahaboob Khan.

Allergy
Winter is also well-known to trigger allergies and there are estimates that suggest during this season, there is a 40 per cent rise in cases of allergies among individuals. A majority of these allergies are due to allergic reactions from house dust mites and moulds. Winter causes a flare-up of eczema, a skin ailment that causes a dry, itchy and red rash on the body. Houses with windows closed during winter not only result in poor ventilation but also encourage the growth of mould or fungi. Getting exposed to chilly air after waking up also triggers allergic reactions.

Seasonal flu and cold
Till a few years, swine flu was the dominant upper respiratory infection during winters. However, since the Covid pandemic, cases of swine flu have dropped significantly, making way to SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, cases of H1N1 are expected to rise from November and peak somewhere in January. High-risk groups including pregnant women, children and the elderly with co-morbid conditions can get their annual influenza vaccine shot after consulting with a qualified doctor. The District Health and Medical Officer (DM&HO) Dr Venkati urged people to use masks, wear protective equipment from cold to avoid getting infected by H1N1 or SARS-CoV-2.

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