3 years into Covid, an aggressive flu strikes

Many Indians are suffering a bad bout of influenza and doctors say they're taking longer than usual to shake off the infection, with some cases escalating to require ICU admission.

The flu is aggressive and long-lasting - the coughing and congestion are worse, doctors said. The change in weather - winter turning to spring in northern parts of the country - and episodes of bad air quality are not helping, they said.

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Some have developed pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Health experts blame the spread partly on the intermingling of people after a gap of two years, when they followed Covid protocols. Plus, not many are taking flu vaccines.

"This year we are seeing a lot of flu cases. Symptoms are slightly different and more severe than what were seen in the previous years," said Sandeep Budhiraja, group medical director, Max Healthcare, and senior director at its Institute of Internal Medicine.

"Lots of patients are complaining of persistent cough or bouts of cough, which keeps going on for many days, sometimes even for weeks after the flu settles."

North India typically has hardly any flu cases in the February-March period, he said, adding that India isn't the only one hit.

"Till now, we are seeing a lot of cases coming in. Seasonality has got extended in most of the countries," he said.

Some doctors said Covid has caused other viruses to behave differently.

India is seeing a surge of adenoviruses, which is unusual, said Sanjith Saseedharan, consultant and head, critical care, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim, a Fortis associate.