Health facilities in the city are grappling with an uptick in patients presenting with fever, cough, and other flu-related symptoms.
Published Feb 15, 2024 | 11:30 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 15, 2024 | 11:30 AM
Doctors say that the winter season has witnessed a conspicuous surge in respiratory cases. (Creative Commons)
Bengaluru remains in the clutches of an unyielding flu outbreak that has persisted since August, casting a palpable shadow over the city.
The surge in respiratory ailments has become a cause for concern, impacting individuals across all age groups. Health facilities in the city are grappling with a significant uptick in patients presenting symptoms such as fever, persistent coughs, and other flu-related maladies.
Dr TR Hemkumar, an Internal Medicine consultant at Kauvery Hospital, Marathahalli, tells South First, “The winter season has witnessed a conspicuous surge in respiratory cases. On any given day, an average of three to four out of 10 patients seek medical attention for respiratory symptoms.”
Further shedding light on the situation, Dr Sundar C Ingaleshwar, Consultant Paediatrician and Intensivist at Manipal Hospital in Yeshwanthpur, tells South First, “Our outpatient department is grappling with numerous flu cases. Over the past six months, there has been a notable escalation in flu cases, including H1N1, adenovirus, and rhinovirus, characterised by high-grade fever, severe cough, body pain, and throat discomfort. The surge continues, with the last two months witnessing a resurgence in flu cases.”
Bengalureans are majorly reporting symptoms of upper respiratory infections like runny nose, sore throat, and lingering cough, with some cases even escalating to pneumonia.
Dr Ingaleshwar highlights the breadth of the impact, stating that nearly 60 percent of patients visiting the outpatient department exhibit flu symptoms, affecting individuals from six months to adolescents. Youngsters below five years are particularly vulnerable, with some progressing to into pneumonia.
Dr Rashmi Jeenakeri, a neonatologist and paediatrician at Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, underscores the presence of three main viruses — flu, Covid, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infections contributing to the surge in respiratory tract infections.
“Symptoms caused by these viruses are similar, which include fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, and wheezing, which is making it difficult to distinguish without proper testing,” she tells South First.
Stressing the importance of testing for timely and appropriate treatment, especially among school-going children and the elderly, Dr Jeenakeri emphasises the vulnerability of young babies to RSV infections, the symptoms of which include hacking cough, wheezing, and chest infections often requiring hospitalisation.
“We esee about 20-25 children in the OPD per week with similar symptoms,” she adds.
Echoing Dr Jeenakeri’s experience in OPD, Dr Yogesh Kumar Gupta, a Consultant Paediatrician and Intensivist at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road. notes a spike in paediatric respiratory infections, particularly among children under age 5. He reports 80-90 cases weekly in their outpatient department, with the majority being viral infections that improve with symptomatic treatment.
Renowned cardiologist Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy shares his experience, labeling the current cold and cough wave in Bengaluru as severe.
‘This one cold cough virus wave in Bengaluru is very severe. I coughed so much in the night and had to take nebulisations at midnight, which I’ve never done before. Take care, people. My colleagues tell me that many have had acute bronchitis during the course of this virus. #Bengaluru not just #manflu. Finally, I’m feeling much better today,” he said in a post on X.
This one cold cough virus wave in Bengaluru is very severe. I coughed so much in the night and had to take nebulisations at midnight, which I’ve never done before. Take care, people. My colleagues tell me that many have had acute bronchitis during the course of this virus.… pic.twitter.com/zFiQKsiPeh
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) February 14, 2024
This post garnered several reactions, many expressing similar symptoms of illness, especially night cough and stuffy nose.
Same here but was for 10 days
Ultimately met a Pulmonologist & did a PFT to be told I may hv developed COPD
Wondering the PFT graph might hv got jinxed with current cough😳
Shd I take second opinion Dr
Wish you speedy recovery 🙏
— NorthMadaStreet (@NorthMadaStreet) February 14, 2024
Despite the shared experiences of illness among residents, doctors reassure that the severity of cases has generally been manageable. Dr Hemkumar advises the public to stay hydrated, avoid dusty environments, and consult a physician if symptoms persist beyond two to three days.
In response to the outbreak, doctors advocate universal respiratory infection precautions. These include minimising one’s attendance at functions and large gatherings, including sick children who should refrain from attending school for at least a week if unwell.
Dr Yogesh Kumar Gupta stresses the importance of precautions like avoiding crowded places, maintaining hand and cough hygiene, and ensuring symptomatic children stay home from school.
Dr Hemkumar attributes the spike in cases to various factors, including increased travel during holidays, fluctuating temperatures, rising pollution levels, and the early onset of spring, leading to heightened pollen levels in the air.
