Hyderabad: Rise in asthma cases as mask usage dips

Hyderabad: With usage of masks going down, the last one week has seen an increase in asthma cases in the city apart from a slow increase in Covid-19 cases. Interestingly, the typical season when patients of asthma and respiratory illnesses are seen from November to January, there was no upswing in these cases seen this year. Experts ascribe the drastic reduction to Covid precautions and usage of masks, apart from the seasonal factor.

The number of asthma cases recorded at Chest Hospital has seen a jump of 25%-30%. “The numbers have gone up from 100 per day to 125-130 per day since the last 5-7 days. While usually the seasonal transition, which is summer to winter or winter to summer triggers cases of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary distress (COPD), the recent climate change has triggered cases. Also, with many people giving up usage of masks, which leaves them exposed to dust, is triggering cases,” said Dr Mahaboob Khan, superintendent, Chest Hospital.

Covid-19 cases too are slowly crawling up once again. “While earlier we were seeing a daily decrease of 2 cases coming to Gandhi Hospital, it has now reversed to a daily addition of 2 cases and these are serious cases who are admitted with respiratory distress,” said Dr M Raja Rao, superintendent, Gandhi Hospital.