Spurt in influenza-like illness among children in Bengaluru; H1N1 cases reported
Paediatricians in Bengaluru are reporting a significant rise in influenza-like illnesses and H1N1 cases among children. While doctors note a seasonal increase, they emphasize that current numbers are higher than the previous year.
Why it matters
The surge in respiratory infections among children raises public health concerns and highlights the need for monitoring vulnerable populations.
Paediatricians in Bengaluru are reporting a rise in influenza-like illness, fever and respiratory infections, particularly school-going children, with some cases testing positive for H1N1.
Doctors, however, said not every child with fever, cough or cold is being tested, with testing largely restricted to those with severe or prolonged symptoms.
At the State-run Vani Vilas Women and Children Hospital, Chikkanarasa Reddy, P.S., professor and head of Paediatrics, said more than 110 children, around 80% of the daily OPD load, were being seen daily with high-grade fever, cold, cough, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Dr. Reddy said testing was mainly being considered for children with high-grade or persistent fever and signs of severity. The limited testing means confirmed H1N1 numbers do not represent the overall burden of influenza-like illness in the city.
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