Doctor shares the signs and first-aid steps for immediate care after asthma attack
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director of Pulmonology at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, shared the first effective ways to address the situation.
He gave a glimpse of the large number of people in India affected by asthma, making it all the more important to know first aid, as it could be either a loved one or someone stranger in need in your immediate vicinity.
Dr Ravi Shekhar said, 'For over 34 million Indians with asthma, the fear of a sudden attack is a constant reality. While many live symptom-free for long periods, an asthma exacerbation, triggered by allergens, infections, or pollution, can escalate within minutes. In such moments, knowing what to do at home can mean the difference between recovery and crisis.'
Dr Ravi Shekhar provided this detailed guide that covers, from identifying the early signs of when an asthma attack is about to happen to first aid steps:
How to recognise the signs of an asthma attack?
ALSO READ: Allergic vs non-allergic asthma types: Comparing triggers and symptoms for better management
If the trigger is known—smoke, dust, pollen, or strong odors—remove the person from that environment immediately. In many urban Indian homes, incense, mosquito coils, and cooking fumes can act as potent irritants. Good ventilation matters.
Homes need to be well-cleaned, as they can trigger asthma attacks, whether it's due to dust mites or poor air quality caused by rising pollution in urban areas. Managing indoor air quality is just as important.
Dalila El Zein, Dyson Senior Research Engineer, shared some effective ways you can keep your indoors clean:
ALSO READ: Can asthma disappear and recur? Doctor explains why this happens
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Pune zoo records India's first wild animal case of deadly MCF virus
The genome of the Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) virus, which records high fatality rates, was detected in a wild animal at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune, in a first for India. The finding was confirmed by the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, on July 29, following tests on specimens sent by the Western Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WRDDL), Pune. While harmless to humans, MCF poses a major threat to wildlife conservation and livestock health. In an August 5 communication, the ministry termed the detection 'a serious concern' as MCF had never before been reported in a wild animal in India. (HT FILE) Between July 6 and 12 this year, 16 spotted deer at the zoo died in a highly contagious viral outbreak. Samples from the dead animals were sent to multiple laboratories for diagnosis. On July 24, reports from the ICAR–National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease (Bhubaneswar) and NIHSAD (Bhopal) confirmed foot and mouth disease. However, a separate NIHSAD report on July 29 confirmed the presence of the MCF genome in one of the samples. Following this, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying issued an advisory to state authorities. In an August 5 communication, the ministry termed the detection 'a serious concern' as MCF had never before been reported in a wild animal in India. Caused primarily by Ovine Herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), the disease affects wild and domestic ruminants, with sheep and goats serving as symptomless carriers. There is currently no effective treatment or vaccine. The ministry directed Maharashtra's forest and animal husbandry departments to immediately enforce strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo, enhance surveillance of susceptible species such as deer, bison, and antelopes, and ensure regular health monitoring with prompt reporting of unusual animal deaths. On August 6, Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Pravinkumar Deore instructed district animal husbandry and forest officials to act swiftly to prevent further spread. His letter reiterated that MCF is a highly fatal disease not previously reported in India and stressed early detection, biosecurity, and inter-agency coordination. Officials were told to remain alert and report any unusual mortalities to the District Deputy Commissioner, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. However, Rajkumar Jadhav, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, denied that the zoo's animals were affected. 'This illness is generally found in cattle and livestock, and the claim that it has been identified here for the first time is not correct. Since the last reported death, we have implemented all necessary safety measures and vaccinations. The animals are now in healthy condition,' he said. A wildlife expert, requesting anonymity, called the detection 'a serious concern' given the absence of prior records of MCF in Indian wildlife. 'It is a fatal disease, and death can occur within one to three days without timely intervention. Preventive measures are often neglected, but in zoos and rescue centres, keepers and handlers must strictly follow biosafety protocols as they can be carriers of the virus directly or indirectly,' the expert said. What is MCF? Malignant Catarrhal Fever is a rare but deadly viral disease affecting cattle, bison, deer, and other ruminants. It is caused by viruses carried harmlessly by sheep and wildebeest. Transmission occurs through nasal and eye secretions from carriers, but the disease does not infect humans. Symptoms in affected animals include high fever, nasal and eye discharge, mouth sores, and rapid deterioration leading to death. There is no cure; prevention relies on separating carriers from susceptible species. Safety advisory highlights *Enforce strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo. *Intensify surveillance of susceptible species such as deer, bison, and antelopes, and submit samples to ICAR–NIHSAD *Conduct regular health monitoring of wild animals and strengthen early warning systems.
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Bone marrow transplant much safer, easier to find donor match now
Bone marrow transplant today is much safer than it was a few years ago. We now have better ways to find matching donors, says Dr G Vijay, Hemato Oncologist, VS Hospitals, in an interview with Sinduja Jane. Edited excerpts: What are the latest advances in bone marrow transplant (BMT)? Earlier, patients had to wait for a perfectly matched donor, like finding a key that fits a lock exactly. Now, with haploidentical transplants (half-matched donors), a parent, child or sibling can be the donor. This has been a game-changer in India, where full matches are rare. We also have more precise HLA typing (compatibility testing) to reduce rejection risk, and gentler conditioning treatments to prepare the body, especially helpful for children and older patients. A major advance is preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), where the new donor cells see your body as 'foreign' and attack it. Today, special medicines can 'teach' these cells to live in harmony with one's body. What is the current research direction in BMT? Research is moving towards making BMT safer, faster, and more widely available. One breakthrough is gene therapy, instead of replacing bone marrow, we can correct faulty genes in the patient's own stem cells. This is showing promise in thalassemia and sickle cell disease. In cancer care, CAR-T cell therapy is making headlines. Sometimes this is used alongside BMT for better results. Reduced-intensity conditioning is another innovation, allowing older or medically fragile patients to have BMT with fewer side effects. Has any progress been made in India towards research in BMT? India has made remarkable progress in BMT over the last decade. One of our biggest achievements is mastering haploidentical transplants at much lower cost compared to Western countries, but with similar success rates. Given that only 25–30% of Indian patients find a fully matched sibling donor, this has been life-changing. Indian research also focuses on faster, cost-effective infection detection, because early treatment in the first few weeks post-transplant can save lives. Nutrition is another area where we have developed tailored diet plans to improve immunity in patients who may be malnourished before transplant. We're building large donor registries and spreading awareness about stem cell donation to expand our options for patients. Who is eligible for BMT and when is it required? BMT is used when the bone marrow is producing harmful cells or has stopped working. This includes blood cancers, aplastic anaemia, and genetic disorders. There are two types of transplants: autologous and allogeneic. In autologous, the patient's own healthy stem cells are collected, stored, and given back after treatment. In allogeneic, stem cells are taken from a donor, either a full match or a half match. Timing is key. In some cancers, early BMT offers the best cure rates; in others, we wait until other treatments have failed. What are the precautions needed to be taken after a bone marrow transplant? The first year after BMT is like caring for a newborn, the immune system is brand new and needs protection. In hospitals, patients stay 3–6 weeks in a protective room until the new marrow starts producing healthy blood cells, called engraftment. At home, hygiene is crucial: boiled or filtered water, freshly cooked food, avoiding crowds, and regular handwashing. Medicines to prevent rejection and infections must be taken exactly as prescribed. Follow-up visits are essential. Physical strength returns slowly, and most patients can resume work, school, or normal activities in 6–12 months. Emotional recovery is equally important, and counselling helps. What should patients or parents know before going for BMT? BMT is a life-saving treatment, but it requires preparation. One needs to understand the steps: finding a donor, pre-transplant treatment to prepare the body, infusing healthy stem cells, and recovery. Financial planning is important as costs include treatment, medicines, and follow-up. Most importantly, choose a hospital with an experienced team and strong infection control.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi's stray dogs: How other Indian cities and countries manage the issue
New Delhi Stray dogs in Delhi on Monday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) The Supreme Court (SC) order on Monday to move all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR from streets to shelters has been widely criticised by many animal rights activists, who pointed out that the order is arbitrary and not thought out, citing stray dog management strategies adopted in Indian cities and foreign countries. HT looked at cities and countries in India and around the world to assess strategies used to manage community dogs. Around the world Community dogs in New York City (NYC) in the United States of America are mainly managed by Animal Care Centres (ACC), a not-for-profit organisation. The organisation houses dogs at shelters while trying to find them a home, and does not release them back on the not adopted within a certain time are put down. Singapore has followed the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme since 2018. This is mainly implemented by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a government body, which is the first responder for stray dog issues. Under this programme, stray dogs are captured, sterilised, vaccinated against infectious diseases, and microchipped so that they can be traced. Then they are either rehomed or released at suitable locations. In London, England, district authorities manage stray dogs and provide a dog warden service. All pet dogs over eight weeks old have to be microchipped, by law. The microchips can be matched to the owner's contact details and kept on national databases. London district authorities are legally mandated to pick up any stray dogs reported, try to find and contact their owners, and keep them for seven days if an owner cannot be found. If an owner is untraceable for seven days, suitable dogs are rehomed. Unsuitable dogs which cannot be rehomed are euthanised. In Turkey, municipalities are mandated to place dogs in shelters and euthanise dogs which are terminally ill or a threat to humans. In May, the Constitutional Court, Turkey's apex legal body, said that the provisions are legally valid and that their implementation will continue. 'Methods used in western countries are impossible here, as we do not have the requisite budget, or adequate proper manpower infrastructure. We should continue following the ABC rules, and monitoring committees at the local and state levels should be set up,' said Asher Jesudoss, a member of the executive committee of the Delhi Animal Welfare Board. Indian states India's stray dog management strategies are largely based on the central government's revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. These rules mandate systematic sterilisation, vaccination and release of stray dogs by municipal authorities, while emphasising rabies prevention. Among notable actions is the stringent enforcement of the rules in Uttar Pradesh, which has prohibited uncontrolled feeding in public spaces under its Municipal Corporation Act. Similarly, Kerala has established special monitoring committees to oversee ABC implementation following a recent spate of stray dog attacks. Mumbai has adopted a balanced stance. While feeding of street dogs and cats is legal and protected by law, feeders are allowed to do so only at designated and clean spots, away from children's areas and public pathways. The feed must be hygienic and should not involve raw meat or leftover food. Feeders are also used to help with sterilisation and vaccination of animals. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, in a set of guidelines issued in June 2025, stated: 'Harassing of citizens for feeding street dogs and cats, hereinafter referred to as 'Community Animals', being a punishable offence. Community animals pertain to street animals more specifically in the neighbourhood. Our country endorses the virtues of ahimsa and non violence and these doctrines have always enabled people to peacefully coexist with animals. Moreover the duty to show compassion to all living creatures is a fundamental duty...' A significant provision under Rule 20 of the ABC Rules designates residents' welfare associations to handle community feeding complaints, although enforcement remains challenging due to a lack of penalty provisions.
