Rise in influenza-like illness among Bengaluru children; H1N1 cases confirmed
Bengaluru is witnessing an uptick in influenza-like illness (ILI) and respiratory infections among children, particularly those attending school, with some cases testing positive for H1N1. Paediatricians across the city report that a significant number of children are presenting with fever, cough, cold, and other symptoms, although testing remains limited to severe or prolonged cases.
At the State-run Vani Vilas Women and Children Hospital, about 80% of the daily outpatient load, or more than 110 children, are being seen for high-grade fever, cold, cough, vomiting, and diarrhoea, according to P.S. Chikkanarasa Reddy, professor and head of Paediatrics. He explained that testing is generally reserved for children with persistent high fever or signs of severity. As a result, confirmed H1N1 numbers do not reflect the city's overall burden of influenza-like illness.
Dr. Reddy advised parents to watch for warning signs such as fast or laboured breathing, chest retraction, unusual lethargy, and irritability, especially in children under five. Those with asthma, recurrent wheezing, heart disease, or weakened immunity require closer monitoring, as they are at greater risk of pneumonia, respiratory distress, and dehydration.
At the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, director Narendra Babu said there is no outbreak and no cause for alarm, even though several children with viral fever are being seen daily. “We are testing only SARI cases as of now as there is no policy to test all, and two to three cases among these viral fever patients are being confirmed as H1N1 every day,” he said.
The spread is notably visible in schools. Vikas Satwik, senior paediatrician and neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Hebbal, noted a clear rise in H1N1 and ILI among children visiting outpatient and emergency departments. “Although there is an expected rise in cases due to the monsoon season, this year’s number is much higher compared to last year,” he said. School-going children form a significant share, with classroom crowding and inadequate ventilation contributing to transmission. Children between six months and 18 years are affected, particularly those aged two to five and ten to fourteen years. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, sore throat, body aches, and respiratory issues, with some also experiencing nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.
Sujatha Thyagarajan, lead and head of Paediatric Intensive Care and Paediatric Emergency at Aster Women and Children Hospital, observed that the rise is occurring earlier than the usual seasonal pattern. “The monsoon humidity, temperature changes and close classroom interaction contribute to transmission,” she said.
Doctors emphasise that most children with mild cough, cold, and fever do not require testing, particularly if they remain active and are eating and drinking well. High-grade fever with chills, sore throat, cough, cold, and marked fatigue may point towards influenza. Some children may also develop myositis, causing muscle pain and difficulty walking. Testing becomes essential when fever is very high or prolonged, or when a child is unusually tired, unable to eat or drink, dehydrated, or has breathing difficulty.
As precautions, doctors advise keeping children with fever or flu-like symptoms away from school until they have been fever-free for 48 hours. Hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with symptomatic persons, and adequate ventilation are recommended. Annual influenza vaccination is advised, particularly for children under five and those in high-risk groups. Doctors also caution against self-medication, especially cough syrups without medical advice.
