Written By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe | Published : November 22, 2025 5:05 PM IST
A spike in respiratory illnesses has been very evident as the cold weather season set in. Healthcare professionals across government and private hospitals are alarmed at receiving an increasing number of patients with respiratory disease. But is it only because of cold climate conditions, coupled with low vaccination rate or due to air quality outside?
Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Associate Director of Pulmonology and Critical Care at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, was previously reported to have said, "We are seeing 15 20% more pneumonia and severe acute bronchitis cases daily. While hospitalisation is less common, frequent OPD visits have become routine."
Explaining the sudden spike in respiratory illnesses, he explained, "Pollution-related exposure is mostly causing acute flare-ups of asthma, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, and bronchitis. Depending on the size of dust particles, the impact ranges from the upper airways and sinuses to the deep parts of the alveoli, often leading to bronchiolitis in children."
Pneumonia is an infection that affects one or both lungs, caused by certain bacteria, viral or fungi. When you have pneumonia, it becomes difficult to take a breath, often accompanied by fever, cough with yellow or greenish mucus. This may occur because "it causes the air sacs, or alveoli, of the lungs to fill up with fluid or pus," the National Institute of Health (NIH) explains.
Bronchitis is a similar respiratory illness to pneumonia but they are not the same. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways which are the trachea and bronchi leading into your lungs. When pollutants irritate the airways, they begin to swell and fill up with mucus causing you to cough. There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic bronchitis.
The United States' Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines core strategies for everyone to prevent and protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory illnesses. The tips to prevent pneumonia ad bronchitis include:
