Mumbai: The city is seeing a rise in viral infections due to fluctuations in the weather, said doctors of civic-run hospitals. According to the city weather bureau, minimum temperatures in the city have stayed between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. Doctors said the changing temperatures are ideal for viruses to thrive. There has also been a rise in breathing ailments due to the poor air quality.

The most common ailments being seen are colds, cough, viral fever, with the possibility of a rise in respiratory diseases due to the weather. The weather bureau recently clarified that summer is still to set in and that the dryness in the air has been caused due to wind. People should avoid going out early in the morning as toxic levels are very high at dawn.

Dr Avinash Supe, director of major civic run Hospital said, “City hospitals have seen a rise in patients seeking treatment due to respiratory and cardiac issues. Excessive air pollution is associated with respiratory diseases.” He added, “In such weather conditions, cases of bronchitis are likely to increase in the city, primarily due to temperature fluctuations.”

According to Dr Supe, the immediate effects of such fluctuations are cough, throat infections and pneumonia, while in the long-term it could lead to problems related to breathing.