Vacay mode over: Monsoon, school reopening fuel spike in seasonal infections in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The onset of monsoon and reopening of schools have triggered a rise in seasonal illnesses across Bengaluru, with doctors reporting an increase in both respiratory and gastrointestinal infections over the past few weeks. They say they see at least ten patients a day.“Typically, changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall create conditions that facilitate the spread of viral infections and other seasonal illnesses,” said Dr Ashwin Kulkarni, consultant, department of general medicine, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.Doctors said the most common illnesses currently include viral upper respiratory tract infections, seasonal flu-like illnesses, and acute gastroenteritis. Patients are reporting symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, headaches, body aches, and fatigue.Alongside respiratory infections, hospitals are also witnessing a rise in stomach-related illnesses. “We are also seeing cases of diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach infections, often linked to contaminated food or water,” Dr Kulkarni said.Travel adds to infection burdenSummer travel has also contributed to the spread of illnesses. “During the vacation, many people travelled to places with extremely hot weather and came back with dehydration and fatigue. Among the elderly, we are observing disturbance in electrolyte balance. Be it trains, buses or flights – public transport vehicles are fully packed in this season, and this close contact leads to infections spreading faster,” said Dr TR Hemkumar, HOD and lead consultant, internal medicine, Kauvery Hospital, Marathahalli.Schools become transmission hotspotsDoctors noted that children returning to classrooms after nearly two months at home are being exposed to viruses and bacteria, leading to rapid spread of infections. “Among kids, we are primarily seeing respiratory infections. If one child goes to school with an infection, then within no time, half of the class falls sick,” said Dr Aditya S Chowti, director, internal medicine, TriLife Hospital.Several parents reported that their children fell sick within days of returning to school and had to take leave soon after. Prema R, a homemaker from Nandini Layout, said her son, a Class V student, developed cold, cough and viral fever. “This happens every year in the first few weeks of school reopening. Four days after the school reopened, some kids in my son’s school were coughing and developing a cold and soon, it spread to my son as we had expected,” she said.Doctors said water-borne diseases are also increasing because of contamination caused by rain and waterlogging. “We are seeing a spike in typhoid cases and diarrhoea too. With waterlogging everywhere, dengue and malaria cases might also surface in the coming weeks,” Dr Chowti said.Inset: Precautionary MeasuresWash hands regularly and maintain good hygieneDrink safe water and eat freshly prepared foodAvoid stagnant water and mosquito breeding areasGet adequate sleep and follow a balanced dietKeep chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease under controlSeek medical help for persistent fever, breathing difficulty, dehydration or worsening symptoms