New Delhi: Influenza activity in Delhi has risen sharply this season, with the H1N1 strain accounting for the largest share of cases. As of Aug 21, the city has reported 2,392 influenza A cases this year, including 1,777 H1N1 infections. At least 144 influenza cases were reported Thursday, according to Delhi govt.The rise comes amid humid, fluctuating and rainy weather, with doctors cautioning that the current respiratory illness burden should not be viewed through H1N1 alone. Dr Rakesh Gupta, senior consultant of internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said patients were coming with fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and marked fatigue, but these symptoms overlapped considerably with other respiratory infections.“Most uncomplicated influenza cases remain manageable as outpatients, but pneumonia, breathing difficulty and low oxygen are warning signs, particularly among older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with diabetes, chronic heart or lung disease or weakened immunity,” he said.Doctors also pointed out that patients who worsen after initially improving also need reassessment because a secondary bacterial infection could occasionally complicate influenza.Dr Manisha Mendirattay, director and head of pulmonology at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, said H1N1 currently appeared to be the dominant influenza strain in Delhi, while H3N2 continued to circulate. She linked the rise partly to humid and fluctuating weather and emphasised early assessment of persistent or worsening flu-like illness, particularly in high-risk patients.Doctors also said the diagnostic challenge was being amplified by infections that could look similar in their early stages. Influenza A and B, other respiratory viruses, dengue, chikungunya and malaria can all have fever and body aches, though their patterns differ.Influenza more typically causes abrupt fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue; dengue may cause high fever, headache and marked body ache; chikungunya is often associated with prominent joint pain; and malaria may bring fever with chills and sweating, Dr Gupta said. Clinical examination, the days of illness, exposure history and appropriate testing, therefore, remain important rather than relying on symptoms alone.Changes in temperature and humidity, rainfall, indoor crowding, poor ventilation and increased person-to-person exposure can aid respiratory transmission, while stagnant water after rainfall can create conditions favourable for mosquito-borne diseases, said doctors.Dr (Maj) Rajesh Bhardwaj, founder and ENT and sleep expert at MedFirst ENT Centre, cautioned against treating every fever as flu and against unnecessary antibiotics. “Influenza is a viral infection and antibiotics have no role unless a doctor identifies a bacterial infection. Symptomatic care, including paracetamol, hydration and rest, is generally sufficient for uncomplicated illness, while high-risk or seriously ill patients may require antivirals after medical assessment,” he said.Cautioning against self-medication, doctors said antibiotics do not treat influenza, while ibuprofen, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally avoided when dengue is suspected because of bleeding risk.Dr Neetu Jain, senior consultant in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at PSRI Hospital, said H1N1 is treatable, but people with asthma or COPD, older adults and those with other underlying conditions are more vulnerable to complications.Doctors at Paras Hospital, Gurgaon, said they were witnessing an increase of around 150% in H1N1 cases in the past two weeks. The rise was part of a broader increase in seasonal respiratory infections, with influenza A, particularly H1N1, contributing substantially alongside H3N2 and other respiratory viruses, they said.Besides usual precautionary measures, doctors advised annual influenza vaccination as an important preventive measure.
