KATHMANDU, Feb 1: Major hospitals in the Valley have experienced a surge in patients suffering from seasonal flu and pollution-related illnesses. Doctors have observed an increase in such cases since mid-January, with numbers steadily rising. Over the past two weeks, hospitals have recorded a continuous influx of these patients.
The Medical Department of Bir Hospital has reported that 15 to 20 percent of daily cases involve flu and pollution-related illnesses. Patients are arriving with symptoms such as colds, coughs, fever, skin allergies, asthma, throat pain, viral pneumonia, and winter-related diarrhea. Dr Dhruva Gaire, head of Bir Hospital’s medical department, confirmed the rising trend of such cases over the past two weeks.
Dr Gaire reported that the outpatient department, which normally treats an average of 300 patients daily, now receives an additional 60 to 65 patients with flu and pollution-related illnesses.
Dr Bidhesh Bista, a pulmonology and chest disease specialist at Civil Hospital, observed a sharp rise in viral fever and pneumonia cases over the past two weeks. He confirmed that tests have detected Influenza A in nine admitted patients.
Cases of seasonal flu on the rise
Doctors sent patients who did not undergo testing home after providing basic treatment. The hospital recorded 30 to 40 weather-related patients seeking treatment daily.
Dr Bista noted that while most patients with seasonal flu recover on their own after some time, some develop complications that require antiviral medication.
Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku reported a rise in patients with colds and viral fever. Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, coordinator of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital's research unit, stated that regardless of whether patients experience cold, fever, or throat pain, they are essentially suffering from seasonal flu.
As winter ends and temperatures rise, seasonal changes activate viruses, increasing cases of seasonal colds and flu. Dr Pun said that most patients receiving treatment at the hospital suffer from seasonal flu.
Dr Gaire, a physician at Bir Hospital, observed a rise in respiratory illnesses alongside seasonal flu due to fluctuating temperatures-warm during the day but cold in the mornings and evenings-and increasing pollution levels. "Pollution spreads respiratory infections," he stated.
He said that rising pollution has caused an increase in asthma, allergies, skin irritation, and eye irritation. "Right now, neither the air nor the water seems clean," he added.
He recommended taking precautions during this season, as air pollution is higher in the morning. He suggested avoiding morning walks if possible, wearing masks when going outside, and maintaining proper hand hygiene.
Doctors recommend eating foods that help warm the body when going outside in the cold, such as protein-rich foods, soups, eggs, fish, meat, goat meat broth, and seasonal fruits. These can reduce the complications of viral infections or prevent them from becoming severe once contracted.
They also advise elderly individuals, infants, and those with chronic diseases to avoid crowded places as much as possible. If they must go out, they should wear a reliable mask and get the flu vaccine to protect themselves from seasonal flu infections.
