Experts Warn Of Infection Surge As Day-night Temp Gap Widens To 18°c | Pune News

Pune: The widening gap between the day and night temperatures in the city could lead to an increase in viral or upper respiratory tract infections, along with body ache and sinus issues, city-based doctors told TOI on Saturday.
Pune is currently witnessing warm sunny days with maximum temperature staying above 32ºC. In contrast, the nights are cold with minimums touching a low of 14ºC, creating a diurnal variation of more than 18ºC.
Dr Amita Kaul, head of department and senior consultant paediatrics at Surya Mother & Child Super Speciality Hospital, told TOI, “A lot of children are coming down with issues like dry skin as there has been a significant drop in humidity levels over the last few days.We are also seeing a rise in pneumonia cases among children over the last one week. Respiratory viruses tend to proliferate in very cold nights and early mornings. We are also seeing high viral fever cases, with body temperature rising up to 103-104°F. Extreme temperature conditions during the day and night tend to increase risk of contracting such infections.”
Dr Kaul said dry weather was causing a lot of dry nose, asthma attacks and high rate of sinus infections due to clogging of nasal secretions.
On Saturday, several cities in the state witnessed temperature fluctuations between day and night. Lohegaon, Jalgaon, Bramhapuri, Chandrapur, Gondia, Nagpur, Washim, Nashik, Satara and Solapur exhibited similar patterns with significant differences in temperature between day and night.
Family physician Dr Hillary Rodrigues said, “The fluctuations in temperature are responsible for increase in viral infections. Most people suffer from sore throat, coughing, running nose and fever. Patients with chronic diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, are particularly at risk.”
She said, “The human body regulates its temperature by increased sweating and maintaining adequate body temperature by preserving heat during hot and cold temperatures, respectively. But huge variations in day and night temperatures confuse the body and increase physiological stress. The body is unable to regulate fluid intake resulting in dehydration, muscle cramps, fatigue, etc. A majority of my patients are complaining of extreme weakness,”
Dr Rodrigues advised people to stay hydrated and avoid cold or “chilled” items. “Do not self-treat. Visit the doctor in case of fever lasting more than 24 hours accompanied by extreme weakness, breathlessness and persistent cough,” she said.
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