Patna is experiencing a significant rise in viral infections, with hospitals noting a 30–35% increase in patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms over the past week. Both government facilities and private clinics are operating at full capacity as residents deal with cough, fever, and respiratory issues. Physicians attribute the increase to a combination of worsening air pollution, abrupt temperature changes, and lower humidity levels, which create an ideal environment for the spread of viruses. Hospitals are facing challenges with increasing patient numbers. At IGIMS, PMCH, NMCH, Gardiner Road Hospital, Gardanibagh Hospital, and the Rajendra Nagar Community Centre, long lines of patients have become common. Many are reporting continuous cough, high fever, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Dr.
Manish Mandal, medical superintendent at IGIMS, indicated that the pulmonary and ENT departments are experiencing the highest patient load. He noted that these cases are predominantly viral, with most individuals not requiring specific treatment and typically recovering within two to three days. Despite the rise in infections, doctors emphasize that there is no cause for alarm. The air quality in Patna has significantly worsened, placing the city in the ‘very poor’ category. Hospital officials report that the Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained between 280 and 320 throughout November. Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, superintendent of Gardiner Road Hospital, mentioned that the city is experiencing temperature variations of 10–12°C between day and night.
He explained that warm days and cold nights weaken the body’s natural defenses, while drier air allows viruses to remain active longer. Moreover, polluted air not only facilitates viral transmission but also exacerbates respiratory issues in vulnerable populations. Although most patients are recovering at home, doctors caution that individuals with pre-existing conditions—such as asthma, COPD, kidney diseases, or heart problems—may face more severe symptoms. This current wave underscores a larger public health challenge in rapidly growing cities like Patna, where poor air quality and erratic weather patterns have a direct and visible impact on community health.