In addition to symptoms such as coughing and allergies, this is due to the different seasons, which are characterized by changing temperatures, low air humidity, and pollution.
“The most common respiratory infections at this time of year are caused by viruses such as rhinovirus, adenovirus and pneumovirus, which cause the common cold and, more seriously, influenza,” says Silvio Bertini, an infectious disease specialist at Hospital Gabonese Santa Cruz. (SP).
The increased concentration of dust and pollutants in the air – due to the dry weather at that time – leads to dryness of the mucous membranes in the respiratory system and leads to attacks of rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and asthma.
“Rhinitis is an allergic inflammation that affects the nose, while asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that damages the bronchi. Pharyngitis and sinusitis, in the pharynx and sinuses, respectively, are infections that can be caused by viruses and bacteria, not just allergies,” she explains. Maria Vera Cruz, pulmonologist at HSPE (Hospital do Servidor Publico Estadual), in São Paulo.
Sinusitis that is not treated properly causes a mechanism called external nasal drip that can lead to pneumonia.
The presence of anatomical changes, such as a deviated nasal septum, also exacerbates these diseases, according to Leonardo Pomidano Garcia, an otolaryngologist at the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital. “Enlarged nasal turbinates and obstruction in sinus drainage are factors that may be considered to exacerbate allergy symptoms and increase respiratory infections.”
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