A sharp rise in flu-like and respiratory illnesses among children has emerged as a growing concern in Nagpur, with the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) recording around 7,600 children visiting its paediatric OPD with flu-like viral illness in the last three months. The increase is significant compared to the corresponding period last year, when around 2,500 children had reported with similar complaints.

 

This means the number of children seeking treatment for flu-like illnesses has increased by more than three times in a year. According to GMC Professor of Paediatrics Dr Ashish Lothe, Professor of Pediatrics, GMCH, respiratory infections have increased significantly this year, with several viruses being commonly detected among children. “Last year, around 2,500 children visited the OPD during the same period. This year, the number has increased significantly to around 7,600. Respiratory infections are quite common this year,” said Dr Lothe. Doctors are seeing infections caused by swine flu (H1N1), rhinovirus, enterovirus and adenovirus, indicating that the surge is not being driven by a single virus. Rhinoviruses, which are among the most common causes of cold-like illness, tend to show increased activity during seasonal transitions.

 

Seasonal changes, fluctuating temperature and humidity, increased circulation of respiratory viruses and close contact among children in schools and other crowded settings can contribute to transmission. Influenza activity in India also follows seasonal patterns, with circulation often increasing around and after the monsoon period. The presence of multiple viruses at the same time can also mean that children repeatedly develop respiratory symptoms even after recovering from one infection. Common symptoms include fever, cough, cold, sore throat, body ache and breathing difficulty. With the paediatric OPD witnessing such a substantial rise, doctors are advising parents not to ignore persistent fever, worsening cough, fast or difficult breathing, or unusual weakness in children. The sharp jump has put the spotlight on the changing respiratory illness pattern among children this year and the growing burden on paediatric healthcare services.