As the city’s humidity rises and streets turn damp, a leading pulmonary hospital in Delhi, like Saroj, often sees a spike in patients complaining of persistent cough, breathlessness, and chest tightness that simply wasn’t there a month ago. The reason isn’t always a common cold. Quite often, it traces back to fungal spores thriving in the very moisture that makes the season feel refreshing.
Read on this blog to understand why your chests start wheezing the moment the first monsoon cloud rolls over Delhi. And what can actually be done about it.
The Fungus Hiding in the Humidity
Rainy-season air isn’t just water vapour; it’s a breeding ground for mould and fungal spores, particularly Aspergillus fumigatus, which flourishes in soil, decaying leaves, damp walls, and even stored grains.
Most people inhale these spores daily without a second thought. But for those already living with conditions like asthma, the immune system can overreact, triggering a condition called ‘allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis’, or ABPA. This fungus grows in warm, damp environments both indoors and outdoors, and the condition develops when the immune system overreacts to it.
ABPA is essentially an allergic lung reaction to this fungus that shows up in some people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Symptoms typically include a cough that may bring blood or mucus, along with worsening asthma. The tricky part? Early symptoms can be mistaken for a regular asthma flare-up, which makes diagnosis genuinely challenging.
Why It’s More than “Just a Cough”
Ignoring these symptoms during monsoons isn’t a small risk. Left undiagnosed and untreated, this condition can lead toward respiratory failure caused by bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis. Some research says that the spectrum ranges from simple fungal-triggered asthma exacerbation all the way to severe asthma with fungal sensitisation and full-blown ABPA, meaning severity varies widely, and self-diagnosing at home is rarely a safe bet.
Interestingly, ABPA occurs in about 1% to 2% of people with asthma. And as per published clinical data, it occurs notably higher in 1% to 7.8% of those with cystic fibrosis. The number is of course, not massive but for someone already managing asthma, monsoon becomes a season of heightened vigilance rather than pure relief.
Identifying the Warning Signs Early
Some patterns tend to repeat every year:
- Wheezing that doesn’t respond to the usual inhaler
- Breathlessness that worsens over time
- Coughing up thick brownish mucus
- Sudden dip in exercise tolerance.
Diagnosis often involves chest x-rays, blood tests, and skin tests, alongside checking for elevated IgE levels (Immunoglobulin E, a type of antibody produced by the immune system), none of which are things to attempt figuring out through internet searches alone.
Rain-Proofing the Airways
Small, practical habits go a long way:
- Keeping indoor spaces dry and mould-free
- Avoid damp basements.
- Dry laundry away from bedrooms
- Use dehumidifiers where possible
- Don’t skip the prescribed inhaled steroid if asthma is already part
Treatment for this allergic reaction, medications used for asthma, especially steroids, are usually given, sometimes alongside antifungal therapy in more established cases.
Conclusion
Monsoons don’t have to mean months of breathlessness. With a timely checkup and the right treatment plan, most people manage this condition well and return to their normal routine. Anyone noticing a cough that refuses to be cured as the season progresses deserves a proper pulmonology consult instead of another round of home remedies. If seeking the best hospital in Pitampura for an accurate diagnosis, our experienced pulmonology and respiratory care team at Saroj Super Speciality Hospital, Rohini, is here to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
The team here is trained and experienced to diagnose conditions like ABPA accurately and manage them with the right combination of medical care.
With a timely check-up, this monsoon can be the difference between a well-managed condition and prolonged respiratory discomfort.
