Kashmir’s Annual Tryst with Cough and Cold
As winter begins to rain down upon Kashmir, its bracing air, frosty mornings and shortening daylight, the familiar trinity of cough, cold and fever comes back in its obnoxious form. While more often written off as mere seasonal gripes, these symptoms are due to environmental change, viral circulation and human factors.
Respiratory infections are also registered by the local hospitals in great numbers during winter months. For instance, Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital reported a 30–35% increase in cases of fever, cold and cough in December 2024 compared to November, highlighting how winter conditions contribute to the rapid spread of these illnesses. Therefore, it is important that residents are aware of the causes and take measures to avoid them.
- Environmental Factors
Cold, dry winter air impacts the respiratory system immediately. Nasal passages, our initial protective barrier for airborne viruses, become dried out and unable to trap and flush out the invader. The majority of viruses, such as influenza and rhinovirus, live longer in these conditions, with increased potential for infection.
Prevention Tip: Keep a humidifier in the house, drink plenty of water, and use a mask or scarf covering nose and mouth when outdoors.
- Indoor Crowding
As the temperature goes down, individuals stay indoors for longer hours. Indoors, in the workplace and in public areas, where there is close contact, the possibility of easy viral transmission exists. Social parties and family get-togethers also increase the risk. Badly ventilated areas let viral particles settle easily, hence increasing the risk of transmission.
Prevention Tip: Ventilate premises comprehensively, keep off non-essential social parties, and apply physical distancing wherever one can.
- Seasonal Immune Challenges
Cold narrows blood vessels, which can make immunity less effective. Fewer daylight hours reduce Vitamin D levels, lowering intrinsic immunity. Healthy people too are victims of winter diseases in these weather conditions.
Prevention Tip: Take Vitamin D foods, lightly exercise every day and sleep well to improve immunity.
- Viruses Behind Winter Illnesses
Influenza (Flu): Acute onset of chills, fever, body aches, weakness. During last winter, Pulwama district hospitals saw more than 200 cases of influenza in a single week, showing the fast spread of the virus in cold conditions.
Rhinovirus (Common Cold): Stuffy nose, throat pain, slight fever, cough.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Most severe in infants and the elderly, often causing bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): Produces common cold manifestations, sometimes severe in frail individuals.
Prevention Tip: Winter season influenza vaccination avoids severity and saves high-risk patients.
- Practical Measures to Reduce Risk
Hand hygiene: Wash and disinfect hands often.
Respiratory etiquette: Sneezing and coughing should be covered up; no face-touching.
Masks: They are effective in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
Isolation of sick room: Stops infection from spreading.
Additional precautions: Cleaned frequently touched surfaces, do not share personal items, and report to work sick.
Winter illness is to be expected but not unavoidable. Expectation, guardian care, and civic duty are most essential. Caring for the sick, listening to advice on health, and good manners are as important as medicine. Unsentimental, routine disciplines—immunization, sanitation, air movement, and personal responsibility—allow individuals to survive winter intact.
Mohammad Arfat Wani, a passionate writer, social activist, and medical student from Tral
