As we slowly approach December, the wind is getting sharper and crispier and is bringing along with it a host of ailments like headaches, fever, bodyache, sore throat, respiratory disorders, and more. Divyanti Joshi, media professional, can’t remember when was the last time she was healthy. “Ever since I got viral last month, it seems
every week or so, I have been ailing with one symptom or the other. Be it bodyache, sore throat, backache, toothache, you name it and I must have experienced it. I am tired of popping pills.”
It’s not uncommon to catch a cold or have a sore throat during this time, say doctors. They do warn it’s best not to self-medicate. Cardiologist and general physician Dr Sunil Wadhwa avers, “It is not unusual, it happens almost every season. Patients who suffered from chikungunya and dengue during monsoon, are complaining of joint pains. Common cases of sore throat, running nose, and asthma can be attributed to the post-Diwali pollution. There has been a rise in number of patients with breathing problems since a fortnight. It is an accepted principle that people can visit a chemist in case of emergency when they are unable to see a doctor and take medicine approved by the government in the interim. In no other situation must a person self-medicate.”
For communication consultant Taruna Singh, going for a party turned out to be a dampener, she advises, “'The weather is absolutely fabulous since the past few days but it’s important to keep yourself warm. I went for this party last week and caught a chill there. It all started with an itchy throat and led to a terrible cold. I would suggest that everyone starts dressing for the weather and get plenty of vitamin C.”
Another important thing is to cover yourself, avoid cold drinks, sour things, and banana in case you develop throat pain. Nisha Mohan, who works in a call centre, rues, “It started with one person with a sore throat, and soon almost everybody was coughing. It was like people were falling ill in succession. I tried maintaining a distance, but soon joined the line.”
A chemist shop owner says many people have been approaching him for over-the counter medicine. “In most cases, we tell them to see a doctor if symptoms persist after 12 hours,” he says.