The worries that winter brings

Cold brings many more concerning health risks & vulnerabilities than just the flu and cough

- SREYA DEB

TEMPERATURES ARE DROPPING, days are getting shorter, and with it have started the first signs of sore throats and sniffles, characteristic of this season. Along with these ailments, however, there are a handful of other health afflictions to look out for, say doctors - ones that are particularly likely to take hold in low temperatures and already dry and polluted air.

Doctors say that in the winter months, viral infections become more common, as do respiratory illnesses, so much so that even people with no prior history of these issues can develop them, as well as other lung, heart and bone related complications.

Lesser known winter risks

Dr Devashish Desai, consultant, infectious diseases, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, in speaking of winter-specific illnesses, says "The majority of the population does not bother to consider the fact that the illnesses in relation to winter are much more diverse than the flu-like symptoms." For starters, asthmatic bronchitis is a common illness that gets triggered in winter, shares Dr Desai.