Srinagar, Nov 28 (KNO): With temperatures dipping steadily across Kashmir, doctors are reporting a rise in cases of common cold and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
Health experts warn that the trend is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, especially among vulnerable groups, unless timely precautions are taken.
Dr Abdul Hameed Dar, a chest specialist posted in south Kashmir, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the cold season creates ideal conditions for various respiratory viruses—such as rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and certain coronaviruses—to spread more easily.
"Cold and dry air allows these viruses to survive longer in the environment. This makes infections more frequent and more difficult to control,” he said.
According to him, young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, or COPD are at the highest risk of complications once infected. The doctor emphasised the importance of influenza vaccination, especially for high-risk groups.
"Flu vaccines significantly reduce the severity of illness and prevent complications. Pneumococcal vaccines are also advised for people prone to bacterial infections that follow viral episodes,” he added.
Dr Mumtaz Mir, another doctor, explained that winter-related behavioural changes also play a major role in the seasonal spike.
He said several key factors are behind the surge as viruses remain stable and infectious for longer durations in cold conditions. "Winter air dries the nasal passages, weakening the mucus barrier that protects against infection," he said. "People spend more time indoors with limited ventilation, increasing the chances of transmission. Devices like kangris create enclosed warm spaces that favour viral spread."
The reduced sunlight leads to Vitamin D deficiency, while cold stress lowers immune response and the use of wood, coal and traditional bukharis releases smoke and irritants that damage the respiratory tract, the doctor added.
Dr Mumtaz said allergens like dust, smoke and soot become more common in winter homes, aggravating pre-existing respiratory issues and making people more susceptible to infections.
Health experts have advised the public to follow a combination of lifestyle measures, hygiene practices, and medical precautions to control the surge. These measures include influenza vaccine for high-risk groups: elderly, children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic diseases, pneumococcal vaccine for those vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections, exposure to sunlight whenever possible to boost Vitamin D levels, and a balanced diet rich in seasonal vegetables, fruits, nuts, and warm fluids.
The doctors advised adequate sleep and hydration, improving indoor air quality, ensuring proper ventilation in homes, even during cold weather, avoiding excessive use of smoke-producing heaters; using chimneys and exhausts where possible, keeping indoor spaces clean and dust-free, frequent handwashing with soap and water, avoiding touching the face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth, use masks in crowded indoor places.
They called for seeking timely treatment at the onset of symptoms to prevent complications, avoiding self-medication, especially with antibiotics, keeping children and the elderly warm and away from smoke-filled rooms and monitoring chronic disease patients closely during the winter months.
Doctors reiterated that winter infections, though common, can be controlled significantly through awareness and preventive health practices.
Precautions taken today can prevent severe illness tomorrow. The community must stay alert and adopt a proactive approach throughout the winter season, they said—(KNO)