Persistent cough, breathlessness: Delhiites rush to hospitals as respiratory symptoms worsen

Dr Neeraj Gupta, Professor and Senior Chief Medical Officer at Safdarjung Hospital, the largest central government hospital in Delhi, said most patients are from the city and their symptoms worsened in the last week. “They are suffering from acute exacerbation, cough, breathlessness and respiratory failure,” he said.

He said a surge in patients, who do not have a fever, has been noticed so worsening symptoms are not related to any infection and can be easily attributed to pollution. “Asthma, COPD patients are having a tough time because many are not getting better even with rescue inhalers,” he added.

According to Dr Ritu Malani, those with allergies tend to suffer more when there is pollution and with this kind of AQI, they are the worst sufferers.

“They have underlying allergic inflammation which gets aggravated because of which they suffer from breathlessness, cough etc. Their lungs are hypersensitive,” she added.

Dr Malani said there has been a 10-15% increase in the OPD and emergency patient load. “I am seeing all kinds of patients — children, young individuals, working professionals and elderly — affected by allergies, with pollution making it worse,” she said.

Dr Rajesh Chawla, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, said people with respiratory illness are coming to him with a persistent cough that is not subsiding even with increased medication.

“I am also offering tele-consultation to people, advising them to increase medication based on their condition… Indoor pollution is also a big risk for them which is why I ask them to keep their doors and windows shut,” he added.

He said the OPD patient load is 10-15% more than a regular day. “Every year is worse than the last year and the condition of respiratory patients is also worsening with medicines not working,” said Dr Chawla.

Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, has observed a 2-3-fold increase in the OPD and emergency cases.

“We are seeing a surge in patients who are already affected by respiratory illness. Their symptoms are getting severe and oxygen levels are fluctuating; many have been hospitalised with pneumonia,” he said.

According to Dr Gupta, people were wearing masks during the pandemic years but now many don’t. “It could provide some relief from the pollution.”

In his advice to elderly people, he said they should not step out for morning walks as Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 levels are the highest at the time. “Leave the house only when there is some sunlight in the afternoon,” he said.