GHAZIABAD/NOIDA: The number of patients visiting hospitals with
dry cough, breathing trouble, asthma and irritation in the eyes has increased in the past few days and doctors say most are getting affected by season change and the rising
pollution levels. As some of the seasonal flu symptoms, like breathlessness and cough, are similar to those of
Covid-19 infection, doctors are recommending Covid tests for many patients.
According to health workers 20-30% of people visiting hospitals with such symptoms are children. In Ghaziabad, there has been an increase in the number of patients at the fever clinic of MMG District Hospital. From an average of 200 patients per day in September, doctors are seeing 300-350 cases daily now.
Track the pollution level in your cityDr RP Singh, physician, MMG District hospital, said: “There is a dual effect of pollution and the seasonal change. However, the number of patients who have asthma and allergy is more than the number of people who are coming to us with fever. Compared to last month, the increase in the number of patients with asthma is between 25 and 40%.”
Singh added that as initial symptoms of Covid and seasonal flu are similar, they are focusing on other factors, like contact history, and frequency of a person going out, for their assessment. In case of Covid-19, respiratory problems are more and fever might not be high. A patient might also have body ache.
Dr Akshay Budhraja, pulomonologist, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, said: “Usually, it starts with cough and the patient gradually develops breathing difficulties. Most patients have outdoor activity record. Pollution is linked with allergic reactions. Last month, we did not see such cases, but now, more people are coming in with asthma. We are getting about five cases daily in out OPD.” He suggested that those who are prone to allergic reactions due to season change and high pollution level should start early medications. They should get themselves checked, instead of waiting for symptoms to appear. Most importantly, underlying conditions should be monitored and kept under control.
In neighbouring Noida and Greater, a similar trend can be seen. The district hospital in Sector 30 has been reporting about 30 patients with respiratory problems per day for a few days now. Private hospitals record 15-20 such patients in their OPDs daily.
“There has been an increase in the number of patients with seasonal flu and asthma at the district hospital,” said Dr Santram, senior physician, in-charge of the fever clinic at the district hospital. Officials said that on Monday, there were 155 patients at the fever clinic itself and of them, about 60 had seasonal flu and pollution-related ailments.
Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Manisha Ranjan, from Motherhood Hospital in Noida, said: “The problem is more in case of children who are less than five years of age. On an average, five out of 25 patients at the OPD are children.”
All three cities have recorded ‘very poor’ air on most of the days last week.
At Yatharth Hospital in Sector Omega 1, a non-Covid private facility in Greater Noida, there has been an increase of about 30% when it comes to patients who have respiratory issues. “Main complaints are shortness of breath and cough. We have more such patients, 15-20 daily at the IPD (in-patient department) and the emergency section,” said Dr Sunil Kumar, medical superintendent, Yatharth Hospital. Fortis Hospital at Sector 62, a private Covid facility, has also reported an increase in the number of people with respiratory infection and fever. The numbers have gone up by 20% due to weather change and pollution, doctors said.
“Breathlessness, itchiness in the eye and allergies are some of the complaints. We are getting 10-12 such patients daily,” said Dr Ajay Agarwal, director, internal medicine, Fortis Hospital.