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The monsoon rains have relieved the extreme heat, but they also have many diseases such as colds and coughs and serious respiratory infections. Viral and bacterial infections, particularly of the respiratory tract and respiratory conditions due to sudden temperature drop, may be in the form of simple tonsillitis, cold, dry cough, but may even spread gradually to the rest of the body.

Dr. M. Narender, Consultant Physician Specialist in Respirology and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Osmania Medical College, is more responsive to our questions regarding these diseases and particularly cautions patients with pre-existing respiratory disease such as l & # 39; asthma. tendency to worsening symptoms during the monsoon.

What are the symptoms of respiratory disorders during the monsoon?

Influenza or colds and pneumonia are common in the monsoon. Caused by bacteria or viruses, these diseases can have symptoms that develop gradually over a few days or progress rapidly. Cough is the main symptom of a respiratory disease. You will probably also have at least one of these symptoms: cough, mucus, high temperature, sweating and chills, difficulty breathing or panting faster than normal, chest pain or discomfort, and loss of appetite. The symptoms are often very similar to those of other chest infections, such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma or bronchiectasis flares. To get a good diagnosis, you must consult a doctor.

What are the treatments?

Pneumonia can be serious, so it is important to seek treatment quickly. Antibiotics are the main treatment for pneumonia, as is rest and drinking a lot of water. If you have chest pain, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol.

What are the main causes for disease?

Getting wet during the rain triggers an allergy, which causes the usual irritation and cold, which, if ignored, can flow to the lungs and cause sputum, resulting in a cough. Bacteria and viruses develop in this state, worsening the situation. In addition, chest colds can trigger a wheezing attack in susceptible individuals, which can lead to asthma. The infection is one of the leading causes of asthma, especially in children. Yellow sputum suggests a serious infection and needs immediate attention.

Tips to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading infections:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and encourage other people around you to do the same.
• Cough in your elbow or in the crook of your arm to reduce the spread of germs.
• Discard the tissues as soon as you can.
• Wash your hands regularly or use a hand sanitizer if you are outdoors.
• Avoid situations in which you could catch a cold or flu.
• If you can, avoid contact with people with cold symptoms.

The mandatory checklist before entering this weather:

• Check the weather before going out. If it is too cold or too windy for you or if you do not feel well or if you have trouble breathing, stay indoors and keep warm.
• If you have an emergency inhaler, try using it for half an hour before going out. Carry your relief medication with you because cold air can tighten your airways, making your breathing more difficult.
• Try to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth as this will help warm up the air you breathe.
• Protect your lungs and airways by wearing a hood or scarf that covers your mouth. It is best to use a smooth material that does not scratch.

Precautions and measures to stay safe:

• Keep your house warm.
• Try to get rid of moisture in your home. Wear warm clothes. Keep your bedroom window closed at night. Breathing cold air can increase the risk of respiratory infections. Consume plenty of hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day if you can. Regular eating helps maintain your energy level.
• Stay active.
• This season increases the risk of complications such as chest infections, heart attacks and strokes. So try to stay as active as possible to generate body heat. Get up, move around and try to exercise. You will feel better. When you are inside, try not to stand still for more than an hour or so. Chair exercises are a good way to stay warm and be active. Take care of your airways and your lungs.

Tips for the elderly:

Since the immunity of older people may not be very good at their age, Dr. Narender warns them to stay away from infections and possible sources of infection. "Colds and flu spread very easily. It's very easy for children and grandchildren to pbad on their infections. So, if your grandchildren are cold, it's best to wave them out the window. Also get a unique vaccine against pneumonia. If you have not already had one; ask for a vaccine against pneumonia. The jab is recommended if you are suffering from a long-term lung disease such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis or pulmonary fibrosis, "advises the doctor.

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