For the past two months, high AQI (air quality index) in the northern region of India has made it a suffocating chamber for citizens, leading to symptoms like persistent cough, itching in the eyes, runny nose, fever and frequent sneezing. Are coming.

Doctors have said that more people are coming to OPDs with symptoms like cough and cold despite not suffering from bacterial or viral infection.

While over-the-counter medications and home remedies provide some relief, doctors warn that a persistent cough should not be taken lightly.

Dr. Neetu Jain, pulmonologist of PSRI Hospital, New Delhi, said that more than 50% of the patients coming to OPD are showing symptoms like cough.

Dr Jain said, “There has been a definite increase in cases of cough and cold in the Delhi NCR region. While some people experience persistent cough due to smog, the underlying cause of cough for other patients is due to high AQI. Are.” IndiaToday.in.

Dr. Jain explained that excessive particulate matter and pollutants in the air irritate a person’s airways, causing bronchial hyperactivity. This means the airways become narrow, which mimics a common condition called asthma.

The expert warned that this long-lasting cough will not go away within a week and may not respond to over-the-counter medications like cough syrup or home remedies.

Fatal symptoms may also occur in heavy smokers, especially if they have not experienced whooping cough before. “Air pollution can aggravate their symptoms, which can be immediately investigated if the cough persists for more than 6-7 days,” said Dr Jain.

Amidst the poor AQI, it is necessary to wear an N95 mask while going out to protect your lungs from infection. Dr. Jain said that hospital admissions are also increasing in the last month due to infections caused by tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Persistent cough can usually be treated with a nebulizer, SOS inhaler, or prescribed medicine to open the airways in the lungs.