Delhi is facing a health emergency as air pollution continues to rise, and the air quality continues to get worse. On November 7, Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) logged at 727, which alarmed many, leading to a protest at India Gate. As of today, at 7am, Delhi's AQI was recorded at 421 under the 'severe' category. Today's AQI levels were marginally higher than Monday, where the AQI was recorded at 345 at 8am, under 'very poor' category.

Amid all this, while some doctors have suggested people to leave Delhi if they can, there are people who are still taking it casually. Many Delhiites are saying that since they are exposed to such air all the time, they are immune to it and that the toxins cannot harm them. This idea comes from the concept of herd immunity or community immunity. It is a form of indirect protection from an infectious disease that occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune as it was exposed to it for a long time. However, this does not work when it comes to pollutants.

What Are Doctors Saying About Pollution Immunity

Dr Arjun Khanna, Head of Pulmonology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, as reported in Business Standard says, "There is no physiological mechanism that lets the body get immune to polluted air. Unlike bacteria or viruses, pollutants do not trigger protective immunity.” This means if you feel "used to" the pollution, you are not actually safe from it.

In fact, long term exposure could actually worsen your health condition. “Chronic exposure worsens asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and even neurological disorders. Pollutants weaken natural defences; they do not strengthen them,” explained Dr Khanna.

Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: As AQI Crosses 700, AIIMS Doctor Suggests 5 Ways To Keep Everyone Safe

What Happens When You Are Exposed To Air Pollution For Longer Duration

Chronic pollution exposure aggravates oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. This means, with every breath you take, you inhale a toxic swamp.

As per Pusan National University, long term air pollution exposure actually triggers allergic immune responses in the lungs. Furthermore, a 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also shows the negative impact on immune system with alarming and harmful air quality.

As per another 2000 study, published by the British Society for Immunology, people living in areas with higher pollution levels show measurably different immune responses than those in cleaner environment.

Air pollution contains toxins like particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It also includes hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as lead, mercury, asbestos, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds. When one breathes this toxic and poisonous air the respiratory system bears the initial brunt of it. The pollutants then damage the delicate tissues lining your airways, and disrupts the barrier that normally prevents harmful substances from entering your body. When this first line of defence is compromised, pathogens find it easier to established infections.

As per a 2024 study titled 'Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment on the Metabolic Profile of Medicinal Plants and Their Therapeutic Potential', air pollution appears to alter the very composition of immune cells. Pollutants like PM2.5 enter lungs and then mix with our blood and they interfere with how our immune cells work and cause a condition known as synthetic inflammation. "Over time, it keeps the immune system in a constant state of low-grade inflammation, making you more prone to infections, allergies, and chronic illness,” says Dr Khanna.

The doctor points out that living in polluted areas does not make anyone tougher, it is just a myth. “It’s like saying smoking every day makes your lungs stronger,” Dr Khanna laments. Doctors are urging people to not step out of their houses, and if they have to, they must wear N-95 masks.

Diabetes is one of the chronic lifestyle conditions that most older adults fear developing, especially past the age of 40. This is when body's main source of energy or glucose is too high. However, recent cases show that diabetes may no longer be a disease of aging. While most people who are middle-aged or older adults develop Type 2 diabetes, there is in fact a rise in cases among the youth, including children.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, 352,000 children and adolescents younger than age 20 years in the US are diagnosed with diabetes. Furthermore, in the UK, the number of children with type 2 diabetes have risen by more than 50%, as noted by the NCBI data.

In India too, there is a sharp rise in diabetes across all age groups, with many cases going undiagnosed until complications set in, says Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, chief pathologist at Redcliffe Labs. " Diabetes cases are rising not just among older adults but also in children, teenagers, and youngsters in their 20s & 30s," says the doctor.

Why The Youth Must Know?

The doctor also says that more often than not, scientific terminology could be confusing, even, scary, in such a scenario, it is important to break down the scientific jargon for them. Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth does exactly that. He presents with the 'Five Must Knows' from what he calls a Diabetes Dictionary.

HbA1c: HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months, showing how well your body has been managing glucose. This can be considered as your long-term report card and not just a day’s blood analysis.

Insulin Resistance: Insulin Resistance happens when your body stops responding properly to insulin; the hormone that helps use sugar for energy. So, even with enough insulin, sugar stays in your blood instead of fueling your cells, slowly raising your risk of diabetes.

Glycemic Index (GI): GI tells you how quickly a food raises your blood sugar after eating it. Foods with a low GI keep your energy steady, while high GI foods cause quick spikes and crashes in blood sugar.

Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): Fasting blood sugar is your body's early morning status update. It reveals how effectively your body manages blood sugar after several hours of fasting.

Prediabetes: Prediabetes means your blood sugar is starting to creep up; not diabetes yet, but your body’s giving you a gentle nudge to pay attention. It’s the perfect stage to turn things around with small, healthy changes.

Why knowing these terms are necessary? The doctor says that knowing these terms will help the young patient keep a track of their sugar levels, and also to catch problems early.

Are There Ways To Manage Sugar Levels?

The doctor says yes. The doctor suggests simple steps, such as consuming low GI (≤55) foods on a regular basis, can help regulate sugar levels and prevent sudden sugar spikes. "These foods include oats, lentils, apples, milk, yogurt, green vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Additionally, high-GI foods like white bread, white rice, cornflakes, potatoes, pastries, sugary drinks,, and other junk and fried foods should be avoided. Besides regulating eating habits, simple steps such as regular exercise, brisk walking, and stress management can help control sugar levels."

Heart disease often develops silently over many years, and waiting for symptoms to appear can be dangerous. While many people focus solely on cholesterol numbers, experts say it’s important to go beyond routine blood work to gain a complete understanding of heart health.

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty highlights the tests that can uncover hidden risks before they become serious.

Why Blood Tests Alone Aren’t Enough

Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty in an interview with CNN News18 said, “Apart from the blood tests, they should go for an echocardiogram of the heart, they should go for the Electrocardiogram (ECG), and a CT angio or a calcium score at least, a CT scan of the heart in simple terms to know whether the abnormal cholesterol has affected the heart,” Dr. Shetty explains.

What Is an Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, or echo, is an ultrasound test that uses sound waves to create real-time images of the heart. It allows doctors to evaluate the heart’s structure, function, and blood flow. This noninvasive procedure can help diagnose and monitor conditions such as valve problems, damage from a heart attack, or congenital heart defects. A probe is placed on the chest to capture echoes from the heart tissues, explains Mayo Clinic.

What Is an Electrocardiogram?

An ECG, or Electrocardiogram, measures the heart’s electrical activity. It records signals that indicate heart rate and rhythm and can help detect heart attacks, arrhythmias, and an enlarged heart, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

What Is a CT Angiogram?

A CT angiogram is a non-invasive scan that combines a CT scan with contrast dye to create 3D images of the heart’s blood vessels. It helps identify narrowed or blocked arteries that may cause chest pain or other symptoms. Patients lie on a table that slides into the scanner while receiving a contrast dye injection and holding their breath when instructed.

This test can also determine whether a patient needs a more invasive coronary angiogram, which can be used for both diagnosis and treatment.

Additional Screening With Carotid Doppler

Dr. Shetty also recommends carotid doppler scans to assess arterial health. “If it has affected the heart, we can do a carotid doppler to find out whether it has affected the arteries. If the arteries are all clean, if the heart is clean, of course we should do everything possible to reduce the cholesterol,” he says.

This test examines the carotid arteries in the neck, which supply blood to the brain. Early detection of narrowing or blockages can prevent strokes and other complications, giving patients an opportunity to manage risks proactively.

Lifestyle First, Medication Later

While testing is crucial, Dr. Shetty emphasizes that lifestyle changes should come first. “I would not go to the extreme form of very high dose of all these medicines and starting the medicine from day one, first get lifestyle modification, dietary changes, weight loss and if all the thing does not work, maybe they can start with a small dose of lipid lowering drugs to see whether it will make a difference,” he says.

Maintaining a heart-healthy diet, staying active, and managing weight can have a significant impact on cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular risk.

Early Detection Matters

Dr. Shetty stresses that coronary artery disease begins much earlier than most people realize. “We are not very aggressively following up with this lipid lowering strategy because patient at the age of 50 has not developed any damage to the coronary arteries, very very unlikely that they will develop from beginning at the age of 50, very unlikely. Coronary artery disease always starts at a very very young age.”

The key takeaway is clear: don’t wait for symptoms. Early screening with targeted heart tests, combined with lifestyle management, can significantly reduce long-term risks and help maintain a healthy heart well into later life.

A mutated strain of flu has sparked an unusually early wave of infections across the UK, and health experts warn it could become the country’s worst flu season in ten years. Health officials recently issued an urgent “flu jab SOS,” encouraging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. NHS England reports that flu cases are already three times higher than this time last year, even though the peak of the season is still ahead.

Getting vaccinated remains the most effective way to protect yourself from severe flu. Still, many people are puzzled when they catch the flu despite having taken the shot. Here’s why.

The Flu Is Caused by Different Types of the Influenza Virus

• Influenza A – This is the most widespread type and spreads easily from person to person. The subtypes most often seen in humans are A(H1N1) and A(H3N2), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Influenza B– Though less common, Type B also spreads among humans. It can still be serious, though it tends to be milder than Type A. Influenza B viruses fall into two main lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria.

The flu shot is designed to protect against both major Type A strains and at least one, sometimes both, Type B lineages. Because these viruses evolve quickly, scientists adjust the vaccine each year based on which strains have been circulating in other parts of the world during the previous six months.

Why Did I Catch the Flu Even After Taking the Vaccine?

Your age can strongly influence how well your body responds to the vaccine. Infants and young children are at higher risk because their immune systems are still developing and may not have produced enough antibodies to fight a new virus.

Older adults, on the other hand, may have weaker immune systems due to age or existing health issues like diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or cancer. For this reason, the CDC recommends a higher-dose flu shot for adults over 65 to help boost their immune response.

Flu Shot Takes Two Weeks to Work

Another common reason people get sick even after vaccination is timing. The body needs time, usually about two weeks, to develop enough antibodies after getting the shot. If you are exposed to the flu virus during this window, before your immune system has fully responded, you could still fall ill.

Could I Be Mistaking Another Viral Infection for the Flu?

It’s possible. Not every cough, fever, or sore throat is the flu. Viruses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), rhinovirus, or some types of coronavirus can cause similar symptoms. The flu vaccine only targets influenza viruses, so it won’t protect you against these other infections.

The Flu Virus Keeps Changing

Unlike many viruses, influenza mutates constantly. This ongoing change, called mutation, makes it a moving target for scientists. Researchers track global patterns to predict which strains are likely to dominate, and vaccines are then formulated accordingly.

If the virus shifts after the vaccine has been made, the match between the vaccine and the circulating strain may not be perfect. Even then, vaccination still helps, reducing your risk of catching the flu and making the infection less severe if you do get sick.

The flu vaccine isn’t a guarantee against every illness, but it remains your best defense against serious flu, hospitalisation, and complications. Even in years when the match isn’t exact, getting vaccinated greatly lowers the chance of severe disease and saves lives.