53% families of Delhi NCR have one or more members down with viral or respiratory issues; most taking paracetamol & warm fluids

January 21, 2023, New Delhi: With an unusually cold January and poor air quality in the first two weeks of the month, almost every household in Delhi and NCR cities of Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad have had someone down with cold, cough, viral or respiratory symptoms. Residents of Delhi and NCR since the first week of January have been writing about health conditions and remedies on LocalCircles platform. Many, especially senior citizens and children, have experienced extended period of cold and congestion lasting over a week while others have had bouts that lasted 2-3 days. Given that a sizable number of people are experiencing these conditions, LocalCircles decided to conduct a survey to understand the prevalence of the flu/viral and to understand how people are coping. The survey received over 24,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram & Faridabad. 64% respondents were men while 36% respondents were women.

15% of Delhi NCR families have 4 or more individuals unwell; 23% have 2-3 individuals unwell; and 15% have at least one family member under the weather

The first survey question sought to know the prevalence of viral illness currently and it asked Delhi NCR residents “How many individuals do you have in your household in Delhi NCR who currently have one or more flu/ viral fever symptoms like fever, runny nose, cough, headache, body-ache, respiratory issues, etc.?” Over 12,000 residents responded to this query, with 53% reporting that one or more of their family members have flu/viral fever symptoms. Data shows that 15% of respondent families have 4 or more individuals unwell; 23% have 2-3 individuals in the family unwell; and 15% have at least one family member under the weather. On the positive side, 47% of respondents revealed that no one in their family is unwell. Overall, the survey finds that 1 in 2 families in Delhi-NCR have one or more members suffering from cold, congestion, flu/viral and respiratory symptoms.

Warm Fluids like homemade concoctions and tea along with paracetamol are top remedies Delhi NCR residents are using to get better

The survey next sought to understand what residents of Delhi NCR are doing to get better. It asked respondents, “What all medications/ remedies are you or your family members taking?” The query received over 12,000 responses with some indicating more than one option as they are doing multiple things. Thus, 57% indicated that they are relying on home remedies like taking warm fluids with herbs, spice, tea, etc.; 43% have been taking paracetamol; 29% have been using ointment for cold and congestion; 29% using anti-allergic medication; 29% are taking cough syrups; 14% homeopathic medicine; 14% Ayurvedic medicines. Apart from alternate medicines and paracetamol, 29% indicated that they have been taking antibiotics to treat their cold, cough, fever accompanied by body-ache and headache.

After three years of pandemic experience, cough, cold, fever and respiratory symptoms can be alarming to most as COVID symptoms are also similar. The survey finds that while 53% of Delhi NCR families currently have someone down with cold, cough, flu/viral and respiratory symptoms, most are taking paracetamol and warm fluids and in 30% cases, cold medicines to feel and get better. The country is reporting less than 200 COVID positive cases a day at this time and few hospitalisations due to viral illnesses which indicates that there is high probability that Delhi NCR residents are going through a bout of infectious cold and flu which will settle soon as the weather improves and the air pollution levels dips.