In conversation with Dr Deepankar Kumar Basak

By Ayman Anika

There is a familiar rhythm to the monsoon. Dark clouds gather without warning, and the afternoon heat gives way to sudden rain. Umbrellas appear, roads flood, and almost as predictably, so do the coughs.

It often begins innocently enough. A scratchy throat, runny nose and perhaps a slight fever that many dismiss as “just the weather.” Someone in the office sneezes. A child comes home from school with a cough. Within days, an entire household is reaching for tissues and cups of ginger tea.

Seasonal flu has become such a familiar visitor that many no longer take it seriously. But according to Dr Deepankar Kumar Basak, Consultant, Internal Medicine at Square Hospital Limited, this annual surge is far from random.

“The biggest reason is the temperature variation,” he explains. “Our bodies constantly adapt to sudden changes between extreme heat, rain, air conditioning, and humidity. When this normal balance is disturbed, viruses find an opportunity to become active.”

The changing weather does more than make people uncomfortable. It creates ideal conditions for viruses to spread while simultaneously putting stress on the body’s natural defences. Walking home drenched in rain after spending hours in an air-conditioned office or stepping out into scorching afternoon heat only to cool down immediately with ice-cold drinks may seem harmless. Still, repeated temperature fluctuations can leave the body more vulnerable.

Interestingly, the season also brings a noticeable rise in allergic reactions. While many assume pollen or pollution is solely responsible, Dr Basak points to another factor.

“Heat-induced dermatitis becomes much more common during this time,” he says. “Many people think they have developed new allergies, but in many cases, the excessive heat itself is triggering skin reactions.”

The biggest reason behind seasonal flu is the sudden variation in temperature. When our body’s normal balance is disrupted, viruses find an opportunity to become active.

The Antibiotic Habit That Refuses to Go Away

Perhaps no misconception surrounding seasonal flu is more widespread than the belief that antibiotics are the fastest route to recovery.

A sore throat appears. A fever refuses to settle after one day. Someone in the family recommends an antibiotic left over from a previous illness. Within hours, the medication is being taken without a prescription.

The problem is that antibiotics and viruses speak entirely different biological languages.

“Seasonal flu is caused by viruses,” says Dr. Basak. “Antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. They have no role in treating ordinary viral flu.”

While antiviral medicines exist for certain influenza viruses, they are not routinely prescribed to everyone. They are generally reserved for patients who are immunocompromised or at high risk of developing severe complications such as pneumonia.

For most healthy adults, the illness improves naturally with adequate rest and supportive care.

Antibiotics only become necessary if a secondary bacterial infection develops, something doctors usually suspect only after several days if symptoms fail to improve or new complications arise.

Taking antibiotics unnecessarily does more than waste medicine. It contributes to antibiotic resistance, making future bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat.

Seasonal flu is caused by viruses. Antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. They have no role in treating ordinary viral flu.

Prevention Is Surprisingly Ordinary

Unlike many medical conditions that require sophisticated interventions, preventing seasonal flu often comes down to remarkably simple habits.

“We advise two things above all,” says Dr Basak. “Isolation when necessary and maintaining hygiene.”

If symptoms are severe, staying home for the first few days protects both the individual and everyone around them. Since flu spreads primarily through droplets released while coughing and sneezing, wearing a mask or simply covering the mouth with a tissue or handkerchief significantly reduces transmission.

Hydration also matters more than many people realize.

“When dehydration occurs, infections can affect the body more quickly,” Dr. Basak explains. “Drinking enough water is very important during this season.”

Equally important is respecting the weather instead of challenging it. Lightweight clothing, avoiding prolonged exposure to excessive heat, using umbrellas during rain or harsh sunshine, and resisting the temptation to drink ice-cold beverages immediately after coming in from the heat are all small adjustments that reduce unnecessary stress on the body.

We advise two things above all: isolation when necessary and maintaining hygiene. Staying home for a few days and wearing a mask can significantly reduce transmission.

The Youngest Among Us

For children, seasonal flu demands extra caution.

Unlike adults, children’s immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to infections that older family members may recover from with relative ease.

“They should avoid crowded places as much as possible during flu season,” says Dr. Basak. “Parents should make sure they are eating well, staying hydrated, and not being exposed to excessive heat or cold.”

If another family member becomes ill, minimising close contact with young children can significantly reduce the chances of transmission.

The advice sounds uncomplicated, but consistency often makes the greatest difference.

Health Begins Outside the Front Door

Seasonal flu is often treated as an individual problem. One person gets sick, visits a doctor, and recovers. Yet Dr Basak believes the conversation should extend beyond medicine cabinets and clinic visits.

“We clean our own homes but sometimes ignore the surroundings,” he says. “Health is a community responsibility.”

His concern reflects a broader reality. During the rainy season, overflowing drains, stagnant water, improperly discarded tissues, and poor waste management create environments that encourage the spread of infectious diseases. At the same time, rapid urbanisation has reduced green spaces, contributing to rising temperatures and more extreme seasonal variations.

“We don’t plant enough trees anymore,” he observes. “If every household paid attention to cleanliness, avoided throwing waste into the streets, prevented water from stagnating, and helped protect the environment, many health problems could be reduced.”

His message is refreshingly practical. Public health is not built only inside hospitals. It begins with everyday choices made in homes, neighbourhoods, and streets.

A Different Way to Think About Seasonal Flu

Perhaps the biggest mistake we make each monsoon is assuming seasonal flu is inevitable.

It may be common, but it is not unavoidable.

Sometimes the most effective protection is also the simplest. Wash your hands. Stay hydrated. Rest when you’re ill. Wear a mask if you’re coughing. Resist unnecessary antibiotics. Check on vulnerable family members. Think beyond your own doorstep.

Seasonal flu will probably return with next year’s rains.

Whether it finds an easy path into our homes depends, in many ways, on the habits we choose long before the first cough appears.

Health is a community responsibility. Cleaning only your own home is not enough if the surroundings remain dirty.

Feature Image: Courtesy