50 per cent jump in bronchitis cases among kids in Gurugram: Doctors

Gurugram: The past few weeks have seen a sharp rise in bronchitis and breathlessness among kids due to low temperatures and high pollution level. The city has seen around 50 per cent jump in cases, according to doctors.

Health experts said children are most susceptible to infection and the rise in respiratory ailments is sending otherwise healthy kids to intensive care. According to experts, bronchitis caused by viruses is more prevalent in the winter because contagious respiratory droplets spread more easily in dry air when coughing or sneezing.

Dr Shreya Dubey, department of neonatology and paediatrics at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said, “Daily the hospital is seeing 30 to 35 cases of children suffering from acute or chronic bronchitis in our hospital. We are receiving complaints of a dry or wet cough that aggravates during the night and early morning, vomiting due to the cough, wheezing, runny nose, body aches, and shortness of breath. Children suffer from sleep disruption caused by persistent symptoms like cough, fever, and shortness of breath.”

“Bronchitis cases are increasing because of low temperatures and high pollution and thus, all hospitals have been told to treat emergency cases at the earliest. Parents are advised to avoid children from going out if the AQI is high. People should wear masks during this weather,” said Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer, of Gurugram.