The heat waves are rising all over the world and causing a lot of damage. While there are issues of dehydration and heat strokes, studies are suggesting that it might also be responsible for declining mental health, the heat among other things is not only affecting the physicality of human beings but is also having adverse mental health.

Emotional distress: The heat can trigger mood swings, making you feel irritable, anxious, depressed, or even aggressive. You may not be able to predict your reaction, you may be good one moment and then any minor inconvenience will make you angry or sad. Heat often triggers that helplessness in people.

Scattered Focus: Concentrating on tasks becomes a struggle when it's hot. Simple things feel overwhelming, and staying focused is a challenge. While you may be in the zone working on completing something, the heat and sweating will disrupt your flow and then you will not be able to focus on anything other than the heat.

Sleepless Nights: High temperatures, especially at night, disrupt your sleep. This lack of rest can leave you feeling tired, and grumpy, and worsen existing mental health issues. All humans require a comfortable temperature to sleep in, if your body is too wound up or heated up, it will not be able to relax and sleep.

Feeling the Pressure: The heat can pile on stress and make you feel overwhelmed. Concerns about the heat itself or its impact on other aspects of your life can contribute to this feeling. You will feel overwhelmed and unable to work on anything else. The heat makes you feel a certain helplessness, as you cannot stop the sun or turn down the heat.

Body Blues: The heat can cause physical symptoms that affect your mental well-being. Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea can all contribute to anxiety and low mood. When your body is already fatigued, the urge to do anything else disappears. Your body is drained of energy to function at all and will seek rest and sleep.

Behavioural Shifts: The heat can influence your behaviour. You might act impulsively or have difficulty managing anger. It's like the heat turns up your emotional thermostat. When your body and brain are overheating, it is difficult to think straight and you will grasp at straws to release this energy and pressure off of you.

Some other side effects of the heat are.

• Mental Health Flare-Ups: If you already have a mental health condition, hot weather can worsen your symptoms. Existing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia might feel more intense.
• Heat and Suicide Risk: Studies show a disturbing link between hot weather and increased suicide rates, particularly among men and older adults. Hot weather can be a tipping point for those already struggling.
• Heatwave Hospitalizations: When temperatures soar, people with existing mental health issues may require increased hospitalization. This highlights the need for healthcare systems to be prepared for heat waves.
• Climate Change and Mental Health: Climate change is leading to more frequent heatwaves. Research suggests this could lead to a rise in mental health problems and suicides. Taking action against climate change is crucial for protecting mental well-being.

Doctors are urging people to take extra precautions this season to protect themselves and their families from a new and aggressive strain of flu. Data from Australia shows that the H3N2 strain has caused its worst flu outbreak on record, and experts warn that the same could happen in Britain as winter begins.

UK health officials say flu cases have appeared nearly a month earlier than expected, and vaccination rates are worryingly low, especially in care homes where two out of five residents remain unvaccinated. Described by health authorities as “particularly unpleasant,” H3N2 is already driving up hospital admissions across the country.

What Is the H3N2 Strain?

H3N2 is one of two major strains of the influenza virus currently in wide circulation. Known scientifically as subclade K, it is the most dominant strain in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This subtype of influenza A first appeared in 1968 and has re-emerged seasonally ever since. It should not be confused with a variant linked to pigs that infected humans in 2011, which primarily affects those in direct contact with infected animals.

How High Are the Flu Rates at the Moment?

The UKHSA reports that hospital admissions linked to flu in England have risen to 3.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.4 the previous week. Although this is still below the peaks seen in recent years, it represents levels that typically occur later in the season.

Experts told The Independent that this early surge suggests the flu season has begun unusually early and could lead to a more severe winter ahead.

Symptoms of the H3N2 Strain Spreading in the UK

Like other flu viruses, H3N2 tends to cause a sudden onset of symptoms such as:

• Fever or chills
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Body and muscle pain
• Headache
• Fatigue or general weakness

However, people infected with H3N2 often experience higher fevers, typically above 38°C, and more intense symptoms than those seen with strains like H1N1.

Unique Symptom of the H3N2 Strain Spreading in the UK

While the typical symptoms are similar to other forms of influenza, H3N2 infections are known for being longer-lasting and more exhausting. Patients often find the cough and weakness linger for several days after the fever subsides. In some cases, particularly among children, gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and vomiting may also occur, according to the UKHSA.

How To Tell the Difference Between A Cold And The Flu

Flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly and are more severe, marked by fever, chills, body aches, and extreme tiredness, while cold symptoms develop gradually and are generally milder. A blocked or runny nose is more common with colds, and colds rarely cause serious health problems, unlike the flu, which can lead to complications.

H3N2 Flu Strain: Vulnerable Groups

Although most healthy adults and children may only experience mild to moderate illness, doctors warn that older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and those with weakened immunity are at higher risk of serious complications. The early arrival of H3N2 and its stronger symptoms could strain the healthcare system further this season.

Health experts emphasise that prevention remains the best defence: getting vaccinated, maintaining good hygiene, and seeking medical care promptly if symptoms worsen can all reduce risk. Staying alert and prepared can make a significant difference in managing the spread of this year’s flu strain.

As India continues to struggle with worsening pollution levels, the steadily rising AQI is triggering a range of health problems. While the toxic smog outside draws most of the attention, indoor pollution is another serious yet often ignored threat. According to the National Institute of Health, more than four million deaths across the world every year are linked to indoor air pollution. This largely preventable cause of disease and death needs urgent attention. Here’s a closer look at how the air inside your home may be just as harmful as the toxic air outside.

What Is Indoor Pollution?

Indoor pollution is found in nearly every closed environment—homes, offices, schools, restaurants, and malls. It includes fine particles like dust mites, soot, and mould, as well as harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide released through everyday activities like cooking, heating, or cleaning. Though it can affect anyone, individuals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are especially vulnerable.

Is Indoor Pollution Worse Than The Rising AQI?

The effects of poor indoor air are becoming a growing concern in India, as more people experience constant coughing, fatigue, headaches, and irritated eyes. On average, we spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, yet studies show the air we breathe inside is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the World Health Organization. This poses serious risks for young children, elderly people, and pregnant women, who are more sensitive to pollutants.

Indoor Pollution Is Harmful For Your Lungs

Data from AQI India reveals that poor indoor air quality can be particularly dangerous for people with allergies or respiratory problems. Common household items such as incense sticks, air fresheners, mosquito coils, and synthetic paints release toxins that can make indoor air up to 100 times more harmful than the air outside.

The American Lung Association notes that indoor pollutants can inflame and damage lung tissue, reduce the lungs’ capacity to fight infections, and worsen conditions like asthma, COPD, and even lung cancer. Because indoor air circulation is limited, pollutants from cooking, cleaning, or building materials can accumulate easily. Children and older adults are at greater risk since their lungs are either still developing or already weakened.

Can Indoor Pollution Lead To Asthma Issues?

Prolonged exposure to air pollutants can lead to permanent lung damage and increase the likelihood of developing chronic respiratory diseases like COPD. While it doesn’t directly cause asthma, it can aggravate existing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

The National Institute of Health explains that people with asthma already have inflamed and sensitive airways, making them more reactive to irritants in polluted indoor air. When these airways are exposed to allergens or chemical pollutants, inflammation worsens, mucus production increases, and airflow becomes restricted. This can lead to a rapid decline in lung function and, in severe cases, trigger a life-threatening asthma attack requiring emergency medical care.

How To Prevent Indoor Pollution?

Reducing indoor air pollution is possible with consistent preventive measures. The World Economic Forum highlights several ways to improve air quality indoors:

Proper ventilation: Good airflow is essential to replace stale, polluted indoor air with fresh air from outside. Homes that are tightly sealed to save energy can trap harmful gases and raise carbon dioxide levels, leading to headaches, dizziness, and tiredness.

Use green cleaners: Many common cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that pollute the air. Natural alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus extracts, or essential oils can clean effectively without releasing toxins.

Indoor plants: Keeping plants indoors helps improve air quality as they absorb pollutants, release oxygen, and add humidity. They also help lower dust levels, making the air fresher and easier to breathe.

Use air purifiers: Air purifiers can significantly cut down indoor pollutants like pollen, dust, pet dander, and mould spores. They can also remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide. When buying one, choose a purifier that suits the room’s size and has a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) score, which indicates how effectively it cleans the air.

By paying attention to indoor pollution, we can take a major step toward protecting our lungs and improving overall health, even as outdoor air quality continues to decline.

With the drop in temperature and rising pollution levels, many people are finding themselves dealing with constant coughs, chest discomfort, and breathing trouble. Both indoor and outdoor air pollution are fuelling a sharp rise in respiratory diseases, including one of the most dangerous — pneumonia.

This infection severely affects the lungs, and exposure to polluted air can make it harder to recover. The worsening air quality in the capital, with AQI levels soaring, poses an even greater risk for those already suffering from pneumonia. Here’s how air pollution contributes to pneumonia symptoms and slows recovery.

How Can Air Pollution Make Your Pneumonia Worse?

According to health experts, air pollution is cutting life expectancy by up to ten years for people living in highly polluted cities like Delhi. The city’s air carries a dense mix of harmful particles and gases — including PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, that are altering how respiratory illnesses like pneumonia develop and spread.

Doctors warn that these pollutants not only increase the chances of infection but also worsen existing symptoms. Polluted air contains fine particles and toxic gases that harm the lining of the lungs, weaken their natural defences, and make it easier for viruses and bacteria to cause infection.

Impact of Air Pollution on Pneumonia Symptoms

Here’s how poor air quality intensifies pneumonia and its symptoms.

Air Pollution Worsens Lung Inflammation and Tissue Damage

Tiny particles (PM2.5) and gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) can harm the cells that protect and support the lungs. These cells are vital for respiratory health, and when they’re damaged, inflammation and tissue injury follow. This can worsen pneumonia symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.

The NHS notes that people already battling pneumonia often experience more severe cough, congestion, and breathlessness when pollution levels spike. Inflamed lungs become even more sensitive to irritants in the air, slowing recovery and raising the chances of complications.

Air Pollution Exacerbates Respiratory Symptoms

Polluted air irritates the airways, leading to coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, symptoms that overlap with pneumonia. This overlap makes it harder for doctors to track the disease’s progress or adjust treatment effectively. The irritation also deepens existing respiratory distress, making symptoms more intense and uncomfortable.

Long-term and Short-term Exposure to Air Pollution

Both immediate and prolonged exposure to polluted air have harmful effects. Short-term exposure can trigger sudden flare-ups, while long-term exposure weakens the lungs, making them more prone to recurring infections. Over time, this raises the risk of severe pneumonia episodes and long-lasting breathing issues.

Pollutants Increase Susceptibility to Respiratory Infections

Toxic air pollutants reduce vital lung defence mechanisms and disrupt the lungs’ natural cleaning system, which usually removes germs and particles. With these defences weakened, infections like pneumonia can set in more easily and linger longer.

Exposure Increases Symptom Severity

Children under five and individuals with existing respiratory problems are especially vulnerable. When exposed to polluted air, their pneumonia symptoms can become far more serious, with increased difficulty breathing and a higher risk of severe health complications.

Air pollution has become a silent aggravator of pneumonia, making an already serious illness far more dangerous. As winter deepens and air quality continues to drop, it is crucial for vulnerable individuals to stay indoors during peak pollution hours, wear protective masks, and use air purifiers where possible.