City sees fewer patients with burn injuries this Diwali than in 2021

Gurgaon: Hospitals reported seven patients with burn injuries on Monday night, but all went home after first aid. The Sector 10 Civil Hospital treated four burn patients, including three children and one adult, Sohna government hospital treated two and the Pataudi hospital one. Every year, the city records a spike in the number of burn injuries on Diwali. Last Diwali, the hospitals treated 12 patients with burn injuries.
This year, Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer, said, “All seven patients had less than 15% burn injuries and did not require admission. They visited the emergency wards after 10 pm and went home after treatment.”
A day after Diwali, more patients with obstructive pulmonary disease (OPD) reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory distress on Tuesday than usual, according to doctors. The number of patients with respiratory distress and allergies may increase further. “We are getting patients with breathing difficulties in emergency wards, primarily due to a rise in pollutants. These cases will rise with the dip in temperature,” said Yadav.
Doctors said residents need to look for early symptoms such as burning sensation, watering and redness of the eyes, nasal congestion, running nose, frequent sneezing, headache, breathlessness, cough, chest heaviness, etc. The severity of symptoms will depend on pollution level, exposure and health status.
Doctors warned that higher the concentration of ambient pollutants, higher the risk of heart attacks, strokes and COPD. “There is an increase in the number of respiratory distress cases. We need to be careful and take all the measures to prevent pollution. At the same time, people should get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia," said Dr Manoj Goel, director (pulmonology) at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
He advised residents to stay indoors, wear masks, continue preventive therapies, and consult doctors about flu and pneumonia vaccines.
“Restrict outdoor activities to a minimum. Avoid running and strenuous exercises outside when the air quality is poor. Avoid cold beverages and also quit smoking,” he added.
Patients with a history of bronchial asthma or bronchitis and those whose lungs got damaged by Covid-19 or allergiesneed to be extra careful.