Most patients complain of shortness of breath and chest pain. After all, why are these symptoms of viral infection (coughing causes and remedies) increasing so rapidly? Is it related to air pollution?

With the falling temperature in Delhi, air pollution is also increasing rapidly. Every third person is seen coughing in offices, schools, colleges, metro and even on the roads. People are suffering from cold and blocked nose along with cough. At the same time, cases of respiratory problems are also increasing in the hospital. Most patients complain of shortness of breath and chest pain. After all, why are these symptoms of viral infection (coughing causes and remedies) increasing so rapidly? Is it related to air pollution?

To understand this topic in more depth, Health Shots spoke to Dr. Rajeev Dang, Senior Director and HOD – Internal Medicine and Medical Director, Max Hospital Gurgaon. So let us know the reasons for increasing viral infection and also know some important preventive measures (Coughing causes and remedies).

Know why infections like cough, cold and flu are increasing in Delhi.

1. Increasing air pollution

At present the air pollution in Delhi is being reported as 185 (AQI). A normal AQI value should be within 100. The higher the AQI number increases above 100, the more polluted the air is, and the risk of health problems also increases. After seeing the air quality, you must have understood how polluted the air is.

This is one of the biggest reasons for increasing symptoms of cold, cough and flu. Image: Adobe Stock

Dust particles, chemicals, smoke and other pollutants present in the air enter the body through breath and form toxins in the body. At the same time, they enter inside the body and irritate and infect the body. This is one of the biggest reasons for increasing symptoms of cold, cough and flu.

2. Falling temperatures

The temperature has started falling in Delhi. Due to the falling temperature in the changing seasons, the air becomes dry and there is a decrease in humidity in the atmosphere. Because of which cold virus can easily infect people. Changing weather can be responsible for cold and cough.

3. Increasing virus attack

Cases of influenza, swine flu, dengue, cholera are increasing in Delhi NCR. All these problems are a type of viral infection, whose symptoms can be exactly like normal flu. All these infectious viruses can infect people in many forms.

These some other factors can also become the cause of flu (Common causes of flu)

Due to high population density in India, it is very difficult to maintain social distancing in public places. Due to which infection can be easily transferred to each other. Apart from this, not being conscious about hygiene is also a common cause of infection.

The risk of infection increases in pregnant women due to changing weather and increasing pollution. Image: Adobe Stock

There is a lack of awareness in India, and people do not follow the rules completely, such as wearing masks. Not wearing a mask increases the risk of infection in the body.

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Vaccination rate is also low in India. There are many people who may not have got the influenza vaccine, being careless about vaccination can also make you a victim of infection.

People suffering from lifestyle disorders such as obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases etc. are at higher risk of infection. As pollution increases, people suffering from these problems get infected quickly.

The risk of infection increases in pregnant women due to changing weather and increasing pollution.

People who smoke take in more toxins, due to which viral infections can affect them quickly.

Know what can be done for prevention (Preventive measures to avoid cough and cold in increasing pollution)

1. After returning from being outside, clean your skin thoroughly. Many times pollution and viruses remain stuck on the skin, due to which you can get infected.
2. Try to avoid dust as much as possible. If you are traveling somewhere by car, keep the car window closed. Avoid going to construction areas. Use less polluted routes as much as possible.

Cases of influenza, swine flu, dengue, cholera are increasing in Delhi NCR. Image: Adobe Stock

3. It is very important to wear a mask before going out anywhere, it filters the air. Apart from this, it prevents dust particles from entering the body during breathing.
4. Use vacuum cleaner for dusting and cleaning the house. Cleaning dust from clothes fills your rooms with its particles and can enter your body through breath.
5. Due to falling temperature, cases of pneumonia and influenza are increasing rapidly, hence everyone should get vaccinated for them. Vaccination is especially important for diabetic patients, smokers and people suffering from low immunity.
6. If possible, keep an air purifier in your house. So that after returning home from the outside polluted environment, you can get healthy air.

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