The sounds of coughing and sneezing have become increasingly pervasive across India’s Silicon Valley. As an Ayurvedic physician practicing here in Bangalore for over two decades, I have observed a dramatic uptick in respiratory illnesses plaguing residents recently. What is behind this surge of sickness descending upon the city?
An Epidemic of Coughing and Wheezing
Over the past couple of months, my clinic has seen a tremendous rise in cases of chronic cough, wheezing, sore throats, and persistent respiratory congestion. I estimate I’m diagnosing at least 7-8 new patients daily displaying these symptoms for a month or longer.
Bangalore has always suffered higher allergy rates compared to other metros, earning it the notorious moniker “the allergy capital of India.” However, the current influx of respiratory misery seems to exceed the usual seasonal allergies. What is fueling this coughing epidemic besieging the city?
Culprits Behind the Coughing Surge
Upon questioning patients about when their symptoms arise, some patterns emerge that provide clues into potential culprits.
Evening Coughing Attacks
Many individuals I see experience fierce evening coughing fits soon after sundown. The evening temperature drop seems to trigger these hacking episodes.
As the thermometer dips, bronchial tubes can go into spasm and become hyper-reactive. Cold, dry air also irritates the throat and makes one prone to infection. Those with asthma and chronic bronchitis suffer most acutely from this nighttime airway assault.
Cough Followed by Fevers
Another subset of patients develops debilitating coughs accompanied by fevers, chills, and body aches. These telltale flu-like symptoms point to a possible viral origin.
Health officials have detected surging cases of one sneaky virus in particular – respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Samples from Bangalore hospitals reveal RSV prevalence in a striking 40% of respiratory illness patients lately.
RSV notoriously lingers post-infection as irritating coughs disrupt sleep and activity for weeks. The highly contagious virus poses the greatest danger to infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
Allergic Flare-Ups
As Bangalore’s population has grown exponentially, so have cases of allergic illness. The influx of new construction has stirred up cement and brick dust high in allergy-provoking particulate matter. Roadway fumes from the swelling millions of vehicles further choke the city’s air.
With allergy triggers flourishing rampantly, is it any surprise residents are coughing miserably?
Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have become commonplace diagnoses. These manifest as stuffed and drippy noses, sneezing fits, scratchy throats, and hacking coughs. Allergic asthma is similarly on the rise as environmental irritants trigger airway inflammation and bronchial constriction.
Other Culprits Contributing to the Coughing Epidemic
Influenza Infection – Cases of seasonal flu have surged 20% in Bangalore this year. The nasty H1N1 influenza strain incites fever, body aches, sore throat, and wracking coughs lasting over 2 weeks even in healthy victims.
Dengue Outbreaks – Multiple dengue fever outbreaks have struck the city recently. This mosquito-borne virus provokes high fevers, intense headaches, and prolonged joint pains as part of its misery-inducing symptoms.
Air Pollution – Bangalore’s thickening blanket of smog contains high levels of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter – all potent respiratory irritants. Breezing through particle-choked air inevitably causes coughing and lung irritation.
Why the Coughing Misery Matters
Beyond creating private discomfort and embarrassment, Bangalore’s collective coughing and wheezing spells larger public health consequences in the interconnected social ecosystem.
Economic Impacts
Coughing employees become less productive workers.
Chronically congested workers take more sick days and operate below optimum capacity in the workplace. Coughing students fall behind as repeated absences and distractedness hamper learning.
Bangalore’s booming economic engine risks sputtering if its workforce’s respiratory health continues deteriorating. Furthermore, stretching meager public health resources to care for hordes of miserable, coughing citizens diverts funds from other critical needs.
Infectious Spread
Coughing serves as a key transmission route for airborne viruses and bacteria. The more Bangalore’s inhabitants are coughing, the faster contagions like influenza, RSV and even COVID spread through the community.
Superspreader events stemming from coughing contagious attendees could spawn dangerous outbreak clusters. Compromised individuals struggling with other illnesses face amplified risks for complications and mortality if their lungs are assaulted by additional infections.
Exacerbating Chronic Lung Disease
For those living with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis, coughing indicates dangerous airway inflammation often foreshadowing full lung attacks. The recent coughing surge almost certainly signals many chronically ill patients are overdue for intensified treatment. Neglected, their diseases may progress causing disability and permanent lung damage.
Final Thoughts
So what is behind the recent explosion of coughing that I and other Bangalore physicians are witnessing in clinics and hospitals across the city? Likely multiple factors are collaborating to stir this tempestuous storm of sickness and suffering.
All evidence points to an especially ferocious respiratory disease season descending upon the city smacking off a true public health crisis. As both a physician and a Bangalore resident, I worry conditions may worsen significantly before improving. Extra precautions are needed now to mitigate infectious spread and safeguard those most vulnerable.
The coming months will prove challenging. But armed with knowledge of the threats, proactive preparation, and cooperative community care, I believe Bangalore has the resilience and resources to emerge healthier. The day our city sings freely without interruption from coughs will mark a milestone worthy of celebration.
Why is Everyone Coughing in Bangalore? Take steps now to protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses circulating at alarming rates. Call your doctor if your cough persists over 2 weeks.
