– Dr. Tanaisha Patel

As winter descends, a deadly haze seems to blanket many of India’s cities, more severely felt in Mumbai, Delhi and other metros. The persistent rise in air pollution has transformed simple coughs, fevers and colds into a nationwide respiratory emergency. This wave, commonly being labelled ‘viral fever’, is in reality, far more complex and deeply intertwined with toxic air. For communities like ours, where many elderly Parsis already battle asthma or chronic lung weakness, these conditions demand urgent attention and action.

The Silent Storm

Over the past decade, pollution in Indian cities has surged dramatically. The air we breathe today is a dense cocktail of particulate matter, vehicular emissions, factory smoke, construction dust and waste burning. In recent weeks, a highly unusual contributor has intensified this toxic mix – the volcanic ash drifting in from the eruption in Ethiopia. Carried across the Arabian Sea by upper-level wind currents, fine ash particles have entered Indian airspace, settling over western and northern parts of the country. These particles are especially abrasive and lodge deep inside the lungs, triggering inflammation, breathlessness and severe irritation for those with sensitive airways.

In cities like Delhi and Mumbai, particulate matter such as PM2.5 and PM10, along with ozone and nitrogen dioxide, are infiltrating respiratory pathways and reducing the lung’s natural defence capacity. These microscopic particles stimulate excess mucus, narrow the delicate bronchial passages and strain the respiratory muscles. The sudden spike in asthma attacks, uncontrollable coughs, allergic reactions and chest congestion being reported across hospitals and clinics is directly linked to the polluted air that has turned daily breathing into a challenge.

Medical research shows a clear rise in chronic bronchitis, COPD and lung infections when pollution soars. The massive wave of ‘viral fever’ that has left communities coughing, fatigued and breathless is often a combination of inflammation caused by polluted air and weakened immunity. When the body is constantly fighting toxic pollutants, it becomes more vulnerable to real viral infections that would otherwise be mild.

For our Parsi community, this crisis carries a worrying dimension. A large proportion of Parsi seniors already live with respiratory concerns such as asthma, sleep apnea or chronic bronchitis. For them, every breath of polluted air is a burden on already fragile lungs. What may appear like a routine cold, mild fever or cough can escalate quickly into serious infection or a dangerous breathing episode.

Younger community members are not immune either. Long-term exposure to polluted air permanently reduces lung capacity, slows oxygen absorption and increases the long-term risk of respiratory and heart disease. The air we breathe today shapes our ability to live, work and age tomorrow.

Unfortunately, experts predict worsening conditions over the next few weeks. Winter is notorious for trapping pollutants close to the ground due to temperature inversion. Stagnant winds, household heating, increased vehicular emissions and ongoing construction activity combine with these weather patterns to push the AQI into severe and hazardous ranges. This means that children, seniors and those with heart or lung issues will be at the highest risk. The coming weeks will likely see increased hospitalisations, especially for COPD flare-ups, pneumonia and severe asthma. Long-term complications from this winter could become visible only after years when lung capacity and immunity have already suffered irreversible damage.

Safeguarding Ourselves

Here are practical measures every household can take:

Track AQI daily using trusted apps or online sources. Avoid outdoor exposure on poor air-quality days, especially early mornings and late evenings.

Wear protective masks like N95 when stepping outdoors. A cloth mask is inadequate for filtering fine particles.

Improve indoor air quality. Keep windows closed when smog is dense. Use air purifiers if available. Avoid incense, mosquito coils or open-flame candles that add pollutants to indoor air.

Hydrate well. Breathing polluted air dehydrates the respiratory lining, making it more prone to infection.

Practise gentle breathing exercises to improve lung capacity and airway function. Even a few minutes of mindful diaphragmatic breathing can help.

For seniors with asthma or COPD, maintain prescribed inhalers and medication schedules strictly. Do not skip doses. Keep rescue inhalers within reach.

Getting Back to Health From Illness

If you or anyone at home is already coughing, wheezing or congested, consider the following remedies alongside medical care:

Steam inhalation with plain hot water loosens mucus and eases airway constriction.

Warm salted water gargles soothe throat irritation.

Warm herbal teas like ginger, tulsi, honey and lemon calm the chest and support immunity.

Keep warm, rest well and avoid sudden exposure to cold air.

Elevate your head while sleeping to reduce night-time cough.

(These remedies support recovery but should never delay professional care if symptoms worsen. Seek medical help if symptoms persist beyond a few days or breathing becomes difficult.)

Our cities are quite literally gasping for life! The air that once carried the freshness of the sea breeze and the comforting scent of monsoon petrichor has turned heavy with toxins. More than ever, we need to prioritise preventive healthcare, promote awareness about AQI levels and encourage regular respiratory check-ups, especially for seniors. For a close-knit community like ours, which cherishes longevity, sharp intellect and spirited golden-age years, this environmental crisis must serve as a wake-up call. Let us act with foresight, embrace precaution and ensure that every challenge to health is met with preparedness, not regret.