Seasonal ailments on the rise in Bengaluru, doctors concerned about vector-borne diseases

Bengaluru: With the city's temperatures fluctuating daily and intermittent sudden showers, residents are increasingly falling prey to seasonal infections.

Local doctors report a spike in the number of OPD patients presenting with gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, and fever over the past couple of weeks. They warn that sporadic rains followed by stretches of high heat and water stagnation could spur a rise in vector-borne diseases.

As with many ailments, children are at the greatest risk of contracting infections that lead to gastrointestinal problems due to contaminated food and water, environmental changes, and vector exposure.

Dr Gayatri Natraj, a paediatrician at a city hospital explained: "Over the past couple of weeks, we have observed numerous cases of children with gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including diarrhoea, vomiting, and even dengue due to increased mosquito breeding during high temperatures and intermittent rainfall. Some cases require hospitalisation, although most are treated on an outpatient basis," she told DH.

Warning signs in children include persistent vomiting, marked irritability, changes in mood and activity levels, fever, and stomach pain that may indicate discomfort or potential illness. She emphasised that keeping children hydrated and maintaining proper hygiene are essential.

Dr Basavaraj Kuntoji, Consultant of Internal Medicine at a hospital in the city, has been seeing at least three patients in his OPD presenting with gastroenteritis or stomach flu.

"The affected age group is primarily between 20 and 50 years. Most cases appear to result from water or food contamination, and some patients have been diagnosed with typhoid," he said.

Doctors also note rising incidence of dehydration and outbreaks of acute diarrhoeal disease (ADD) caused by bacteria or viruses.

"Higher ambient temperatures promote pathogen survival and multiplication, making increased contamination of food and drinking water the primary cause of this seasonal spike. Poor food hygiene, whether while travelling or eating out, may exacerbate the situation," said Dr Adarsh CK, Chief Consultant of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at a private hospital. 

He added that early indications also point to vector-borne illnesses like dengue and typhoid, in addition to gastrointestinal issues.